364 



My GARDEN. 



Fig. 847. — Oidium Tuckeri on Grapes, 

 nat size and also magnified. 



The parts of the fronds which are attacked by this fungus die, and 

 the whole constitution of the plant is much injured. 



At my garden, and over the entire neighbouring district, we have 

 had many attacks of the Otdium Tuckeri (fig. 847) upon the leaves of 



the vine and the berries of the grape. 

 Berkeley, and other learned fungologists, 

 consider it to be a form of Erysiphe. 

 The mycelium overruns the vine-leaves 

 and encircles the grape berries, the fibres 

 interlacing over the surface. It flourishes 

 in the driest weather, and is not pro- 

 moted by wet, as some persons consider. 

 The whole vine, when infested with it 

 out of doors, appears as if dusted with white powder. Every good 

 gardener should daily inspect his vines when growing in houses ; for 

 if the fungus goes very far, nothing can save his crop of grapes. 

 My vines in the orchard-house are more attacked than those in the 

 turf-house and grapery. This fungus has done great damage in 

 Spain, Portugal, and Madeira; the great vine at Hampton Court 

 has also suffered from it. When the berries are attacked at an early 

 stage of growth, they drop ; if later, they grow, but generally burst. 

 To destroy it the moment it appears, a little flour of sulphur should 

 be sprinkled over the hot-water pipes, and gentle heat maintained at 

 night. In very severe cases sulphur may be carefully burnt ; but too 

 much will destroy every leaf. I have also burnt with good effect the 

 bi-sulphide of carbon in a spirit-lamp ; it is, however, a powerful and 

 dangerous remedy, and requires great care not to use too much. To 

 destroy, this fungus we now sometimes use the bi-sulphide of lime, 

 which is a liquid, and can be carried about the house, or some 

 may be placed in a saucer; it is very effective for the destruction 

 of all fungi. 



Sulphur on the pipes is an infallible cure, but if applied too early 

 it is of no use, if too late the grapes will surely be spoiled ; if an 

 excess be employed, the black grapes will be colourless and flavour- 



