264 THE PEACH AND NECTABINE. 



III.— Mildew. 



This is probably the moat destructive disease to which peaches 

 in our climate are subject. Small and insignificant in its first appear- 

 ance, if left unchecked, it turns leaves, fruits, and small twigs 

 white, almost as milk, or totally arrests and ruins all healthy growths 

 by the paralysing influence of parasitic fungoids. Mildew generally 

 -Originates from one of the following causes : Exhaustion of vital energy 

 from over-cropping or other reasons, or excess of cold, of water, or 

 drought. Debility seems to invite the attacks of mildew, as it is 

 generally on the weakest and most ill-conditioned trees on the wall that 

 it first makes its appearance. But it is infectious, and spreads with 

 jimazing rapidity, so that if it -once get a leaf hold each tree in the 

 garden is in danger. Severe and sudden colds arrest growth, and probal>]y 

 produce analogous effects on peaches to exhaustion, and are very often 

 succeeded by mildew. Stagnant water at the root is one of the most direct 

 causes of this troublesome disease. And, on the other hand, an absolute 

 scarcity of water is quickly succeeded by mildew. All violent derange- 

 ments in healthy vital functions ore doubtless succeeded by weakness, 

 and weakness may be termed the parent of mildew. Gross size of branch 

 is not always a sign of good health, and hence mildew may be found on 

 vigorous peaches at times and in seasons when an excessively moist 

 and cold state of the atmosphere favours the development and 

 strengthening of this disease. As to remedies, Grishurst's Compound 

 applied with the syringe, and the milder mixture of Mr. Ewing, of 

 ^Korwich, are among the most potent liquid dressings. But the lime and 

 sulphur cure — ^that is, equal parts of dry fine quick lime and flowers 

 lof sulphur, distributed on the leaves and all affected parts, after 

 syringing the latter freely to make the dressing stick — is a sure and 

 xsertain remedy for mildew. The moment the first white speck appears 

 apply this specific, and repeat it now and again till not a trace of it can 

 be found. It.must, however, be borne in mind that, although this dressing 

 •or isulphur alone will cure mildew, it cannot restore the proper vital 

 functions of badly mildewed leaves or shoots. Hence the superlative 

 importance of applying the remedy abreast of, or even in advance of, the 

 'disease. In seasons or localities where mildew may be expected it is a 

 safe and sound practice to apply such' dressings as preventives to 

 {nildew. They do the trees little 'harm, and this is one of those special 

 cases in which prevention is infinitely better than cure. 



The following, which is Eugene Verdier's mode of destroying mildew 



