120 How TO <tko\v Cut Flowers. 



started to drive out dampness on a wet day, or temper 

 sudden atmospheric changes, before one is aware of it, 

 the seeds of mildew are sown and the battle with it must 

 commjgnce at once lest, it gain a foothold, and if this 

 occurs as late as October and is not conquered imme- 

 diatelj', nine tinies out often all profit from that house is 

 gone for the season. Both Mermet and Bride are pecu- 

 liarly susceptible to this fungus, and no matter how fine 

 the buds may be, if the beauty of the foliage is destroyed 

 by this unsightly discoloration, they are practically 

 valueless for sale as cut flowers. , 



There is no season of the year in Avhich plants require 

 to be so closely guarded against mildew as during the 

 months of September and October. After the weather 

 becomes cool enough for fires to be regularly maintained, 

 it is much easier to prevent its appearance. The meth- 

 ods of prevention or cure vary with different growers, 

 but the basis of nearly all remedies is sulphur in some 

 form. An occasional painting of the flow pipe after 

 fires are started, with a wash made of sulphur and water 

 with enough water slacked lime to hold it together — say 

 one-tenth — will keep it in check. Another method is 

 to thicken linseed oil with sulphur, and apply in the 

 same way. To either prevent or conquer before this 

 time, the same method may be employed through the 

 medium of the pipe used for vaporizing. Extend this 

 pipe temporaril}' nearly to the end of the house, put 

 on an ell, raise from it another piece to such a point 



