178 THE FLORIST AND 



that he examined the furrows with his hands ; seeing is believing* but feel- 

 ing to him was the naked truth. " Why," said he, his eyes starting to their 

 sockets, "I never saw this land at any season in such fine order before ; I 

 have not yet been able to plow a furrow." 'Tis needless to say that this 

 man of stubborn unbelief, who could not be converted perhaps by all the 

 professors in Christendom, was now changed "in the twinkling of an eye,' 

 to that true faith which is henceforth to animate him, to give his bone and 

 muscle only to a better practice.- Ere long I take it the two farmers will 

 not need the same miracle to teach them the difference between draining 

 pipe and steam pipe. S. W. 



Waterloo, JST. F., May 1853. 



CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 



JUNE JULY. 



FRUIT. 



Grapes Inn-doors. — Mildew. — This is an insidious enemy to the grape* 

 and one that requires constant watching and vigilant action on the part of 

 the cultivator ; remedies for its eradication are, fortunately, simple, and easi- 

 ly applied. We believe, however, both from published opinions and conver- 

 sations held with experienced grape growers on the subject, that there is di- 

 versity of opinion with regard to its cause. Currents of cold air, damp winds, 

 too much moisture at the roots, an over-supply of atmospheric humidity, and 

 the reverse, have all been attributed causes of its appearance. We take our 

 stand upon the latter, and firmly believe that it proceeds from a deficiency 

 of moisture in the air. Reasoning by analogy, we find that the gooseberry 

 attains greatest perfection in cool, moist climates. In this country, where 

 there is less moisture, it becomes mildewed. Late sown peas are generally 

 rendered useless from the same disease, which is prevented by abundant wa- 

 terings. Grapes that are forced in early spring, and consequently ripe be- 

 fore the summer aridity occurs, are never mildewed. In the first volume of 

 the "Florist," an instance is recorded where its increase was prevented by 

 keeping the grapery well closed to exclude external air, the interior being 

 kept damp by liberal sprinklings of water. Mildew is so associated with 

 dampness and decay, that it appears unreasonable to suppose conditions ex- 

 tremely opposite can produce it. There is, however, a species of mildew 

 " which is produced by a dry air acting upon a delicate surface of vegetable 

 tissue," (Lindley); and it is this mildew, we think, that affects the grape. — 

 The native kinds are seldom affected — their thick skins are proof against its 

 attacks. Currents of cold air are a reputed cause ; currents of hot, dry air we 



