PLANT ENEMIES 



289 



On such plants as are subject to disease (see the planting list) 

 spray early according to their needs. The chief sprays are 

 Bordeaux mixture and ammoniacal copper carbonate (used 

 because, unlike Bordeaux, it does not discolor leaves or fruit). 

 Besides these, flowers of sulphur, dusted on, is good against 

 mildew. 



Bordeaux mixture is best bought, unless the gardener is 

 to use a large quantity. (It can be bought in various quan- 

 tities, either pure, or 

 mixed with poison.) 

 If it is to be made at 

 home, the business is 

 rather complicated. 

 In a wooden or 

 earthen vessel put five 

 gallons of water ; then 

 hang, just below the 

 surface, a cloth bag 

 holding a pound of 

 copper sulphate, until 

 the sulphate has dis- 

 solved. In another 

 vessel dissolve a 

 pound of quicklime 

 in warm water until the mixture is as thick as cream. Strain 

 this milk of lime through cheesecloth into the first vessel, and 

 mix thoroughly. Add water to make ten gallons. The mix- 

 ture will keep. The recipe can be divided by five. 



Ammoniacal copper carbonate solution can be made as 

 follows : Make a paste of an ounce of copper carbonate and a 

 little water. Dilute three-fifths of a pint of ammonia with a 

 pint and a half of water. Stir in the paste until it is dis- 

 solved, then add enough water to make ten gallons. This 



Fig. 161. 



Prevent the two potato blights 

 by spraying. 



