HOW SULPHUE IS APPLIED. 



47 



quantity of sulphur. It is a sort of hood, called a sou f reuse, which 

 the workman places on his back, and which can contain 10-12 kilo- 

 grammes (22-26-4 lb.) of sulphur. It is filled by an air-pump, with 

 fan, which is wrought by a lever and a projector, the extremity of which, 

 ending in a Eaveneau jet, distributes the sulphur as a mist. The 

 complete apparatus costs 28 francs (22s. 4-8d.). It can treat 1-2 

 hectares (2-|-5 acres) a day. It must be perfectly cleaned after each 

 operation, so that the sulphuric acid of the sulphur does not damage 

 the metal part. The action of the sulphur on the ErysijjhecB is un- 

 questionable, the mycelium of which, crawling on the surface of the 

 organs attacked, is quickly disorganized. All the mildews may there- 

 fore be effectively overcome, and it suffices for the purpose to sulphur 

 at each approach of these parasites. But the use of sulphur does not 

 stop there. In certain cases, in fact, where the mycelium cannot be 

 destroyed, as the plant itself protects it, it destroys the external organs 



Fig. 3. — Th? Regulator Sulphur Bellows. 



-The Torpedo Sulphur 

 Distributor. 



of fructification, such as the Conidiopliorece, and prevents the disease 

 from assuming too great an extension by that alone. It is thus that 

 sulphur acts on certain Peronosj^orecs and Black blights. Diseases of 

 a bacterian nature may sometimes be contended against preventively 

 by the disinfection of the seed by sulphur. Sulphur also acts ener- 

 getically on certain insects with a soft skin, and, according to Berlise, 

 its action is rendered more efficient by steeping it in wood tar and then 

 drying it. It has been found, however, to have no action on plant 

 lice or cochineal. 



Use against Bacteria. — Amongst the bacterian diseases of plants 

 the following can be treated with sulphur : — 



Rottenness or Moist Gangrene of the Potato ; Potato Scab ; Botten- 

 ness of the Siveet Potato {Batates eclidis). — Nijpels and Stone recom- 

 mend the use of sulphur preventively against these diseases. They 

 advise that the potatoes intended to be planted be rolled in flowers 

 of sulphur after being completely moistened so that the flowers of 

 sulphur adhere more completely. They also recommend flowers of 

 sulphur to be spread in the furrows in which the potatoes are planted. 



