JULY 393 



from the last receipt, used throughout the whole of 

 France against the phylloxera on the Vines ; it is also a 

 cure for the Potato disease : 



Bordeaux Mixture.— Dissolve three-quarters of a 

 pound of carbonate of copper in a little warm water ; 

 place it in a vessel that will hold six gallons of water. 

 Slake half a pound of freshly burnt lime and mix it 

 with the water so that it is about the thickness of 

 cream. Strain it through coarse canvas into the solu- 

 tion of copper. Then fill up the vessel with water. 



With these two receipts, it seems to me possible to try 

 endless experiments on plants in any way affected by 

 disease or rust. I shall certainly try it on Humea elegans 

 when the plants begin to go off. For a few years I gave 

 up growing this charming annual, the disease always 

 making its appearance. I cannot bear being beaten 

 by a blight. 



Everywhere on the Continent I find abundant 

 supplies of what used to be called Wild Strawberries, 

 the cultivation of which is receiving the greatest atten- 

 tion. The soil at Cronberg, being strong, is very good 

 for growing Strawberries. When I arrived last year the 

 main crop was just over, but the cultivated Alpines 

 appeared in large quantities at every meal. These 

 improved Alpine Strawberries last all through the sum- 

 mer and late on into the autumn. I never can under- 

 stand why this class of Strawberries is so much neglected 

 in all English gardens. They are rather troublesome to 

 pick, and have to be done with clean hands, as they 

 come to table without their stalks. 



In the 'Horticultural Journal' for January, 1899, there 

 is a most interesting article by the great improver of the 

 whole family of Alpine Strawberries — M. Vilmorin — 

 which will do away with any excuse of not understand- 

 ing their cultivation. But I will not quote from it, as 



