January 26, 1895. 
THE GARDENERS’ 
CHRONICLE. 
101 
DISEASES OF THE GRAPE- 
VINE. II. 
ease known as black-rot stands at the 
head of the four fungus diseases of the V 
dreaded in the United States, on account of the 
wholesale destruction occasioned during those years 
most favourable for their development. Black-rot 
was firet observed in Europe ten years ago; and 
although it has not spread to any great extent, 
neverthelese, there is undoubted evidence of its 
occurrence in Britain, and unless kept thoroughly in 
check, it will doubtless become better known to us. 
per commences The disease first 
appears on the leaves and young shoots under set 
form vs "blackish or ish spots, o 
greyish in the centre, and studded with numerous 
minute black points. About three or four weeks 
later the disease appears on the fruit, which at first 
turns brown and then black, finally becoming dry and 
leathery, but usually remains attached fora long time. 
Owing t 
in the United 
the usual remedy, Bordeaux Mixture, has proved 
one of the most efficacious, In this country it 
A in 2 ZSA 
` 4 
i 
— 
Fie. 13.— SPES sUFFERING FROM “ BLACK ROT,” 
From a Photograph.) 
The =~ causing this disease is known as Laes- 
Bidwellii, and is one of the kinds hay ving 
veral different forms of fruit, which, before the 
pitu vy e-history of the fungus waa known, were 
to be distinct kinde, and consequently 
by Sides names, to the number of eighteen 
All the forms, with one exception, belong to the 
Category destined for the rapid extension of the 
fungue, n very 8 and producing 
numerous reproductive bodies, which are dispersed 
form new centres of 
parasite until the following seaso W spores 
find their way on to the leaves of the Vine, anà the 
is probable that a solution of copper-sulphate 
by dissolvi 25 gallons of 
and the speedy removal and burning 
moaldy or suspicious-looking leaves and shoots, 
should be sufficient to keep any disease in check, 
sim ecautiona are not always exercised is too 
evident, judging from the samples of Grapes 
received for i from to time, and 
exam 
from places where such palpable negligence would be 
least expected, 
In cases where Vines have suffered frem a fungoid 
disease during the past season, it werid be advisable 
to syringe the plants at once with a solution of the 
mixture given above, for the purpose of destroying 
me Our illustration (fig. 13) is 
taken from a pa of a bunch of Grapes grown 
in a well-known garden in the south of England. 
G. — 
(To be continued.) 
BEETROOT IN RUSSIA. 
Tun Beetroot crops in Kief, Russia, during the 
are reported ae being not altogether favour- 
rains of May and June, followed by the 
ing amall and more 
of the tubers means everything to the planter, 
seeing that it costs him mu more to lift 
he same weight of small tubers than it 
does 0 it normal harvest, two 
labourers can load a cart of 1 ton in the same time 
that it takes four in such a season as that of 1894; 
and if it is kept in mind that the four men required 
met ys be paid 8s. for what the two formerly did for 
s easy to see that the planter has reason to 
9 er last year's crop unsatisfactory. Oa the 
other hand, the factories prefer small tubers with a 
the yield was about 124 per cent., and a 
sign that the selection ot seed is receiving attention 
in 5 most es in their contracts speci 
sown, and in many cases 
it to — pet 8 machinery is also 
introduced. 
THE SEED TRADE. 
A Sxrepsman’s Qoaxisicarions, —When Loudon 
left the remark on record, ‘ th of 
managed,” he, worthy man, could have 
& very inadequate idea of the multiplicity and detail 
necessary for the thorough working of a large eatab- 
lishment as conducted at the present day, yet there 
still remains a glimmer of truth in hi 
knowledge, 20 we pass him by, as he does not belong 
to our subject. 
“ What a delightful business yours must be! is a 
common saying from outside sources, and there is no 
doubt the profession is looked upon by those who do 
not know a great deal about its inner workings, as 
an occupation in which the operator his 
whole existence daintiest of oo. 
Granted that he enjoys many pleasures 
his laboure, in oe 
perience periods 
ing other trad 
of doubts and difficalties, and his endeavours to 
battle against circumstances beyond control, binder 
his mind from resting peacefully on the bed of Roses 
some a 8 
Th seed- merchant of to-day must be not 
ond 
transactions princi 
culty each season [J. He must be both a 
