ON FRUIT CULTURE. 



1015 



Red Spider, Thrips, Weevils of several sorts, and Wasps, 

 amongst other animals, cause the grower not a little anxiety. 

 They are, however, easily disposed of as compared with the 

 Phylloxera, and methods for successfully dealing with them will 

 be given under their respective headings in the Chapter "On 

 Pests Generally." 



Fungoid diseases are also fairly numerous and correspondingly 

 harmful. Powdery Mildew (Uncinula spiralis — Oidium Tucker i) is 

 one on the commonest, and the symptoms of attack are so well 

 marked they should be readily seen. The patches of greyish 

 Mildew upon the upper surface of the foliage are very characteristic. 

 Less frequently the fruit itself is attacked, turns brown, and 

 cracks. Flowers of sulphur, distributed with the bellows, will 

 get rid of the disease if applied as directed by the well-known 

 authority on plant diseases, Mr. Galloway. He advises the 

 first application ten or twelve days before the flowers open, and 



Fig. 659. — Stem and Leaf of Vine Attacked by Phylloxera 

 vastatrix. 



a second when they are in full blossom, the thermometer at the 

 same time registering from 8odeg. to loodeg. Fahr. 



Sclerotinia Fuckeliana is far more destructive than the Mildew : 

 it attacks all parts of the plant, which are covered with a 

 greenish mould. So soon as the disease is noted, the affected 

 parts of the vine should be cut off and burned ; while spraying 

 with potassium sulphide (^oz. to the gallon of water) should be 

 resorted to. Next season spraying with the latter should again 

 be employed as a preventive measure. 



Glceosporium ampelophagum, known popularly as Bird's Eye Rot 

 and Grape Anthracnose, is a very undesirable visitor in a 

 vinery. The popular names are well bestowed, as the " spots " 

 on the fruit have a fanciful resemblance to eyes. They consist 

 of a greyish nearly circular patch, with brown margins, whose 

 edges are of a bright red. Shoots, leaves, and fruits are all 

 attacked, and the last-named shrivel and drop. All the parts 

 affected should be cut out and burned. The vines should be 

 dusted with the ordinary flowers of sulphur, leaving more 



