C 168 ) 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



OF THE MILDEW, HONEYDEW, AND BLIGHTSc 



A Description of the 3£ldtxvy and a Remedy for it, ..Of the Honeys 

 dexv and its Remedy. ...A Description of different sorts of 

 Blights, and the best Means of presenting them. 



OF THE MILDEW* 



X HE mildew, a disease very hurtful to plants, is a kind of 

 thick clammy moisture, which falls on, or rather transpires from 

 the leaves and blossoms of plants. This clammy substance, by 

 Stopping up the pores, prevents perspiration, and hinders the 

 growth of the plant. But what is commonh' called mildew is 

 an insect which is frequently found in vast numbers feeding 

 upon this moisture. Mr. T. S. Segar, in a treatise upon this 

 subject says, that the mildew is of a very sharp corrosive na- 

 ture, and by its acrimony hinders the circulation of the nutri- 

 tious sap ; in consequence of which the leaves begin to fade, 

 and the blossoms and fruit are greatly injured. 



I have observed that, contrary to the common opinion, 

 trees are more liable to mildew on South and West walls, than 

 on an East wail; and I have frequently removed such trees 

 from a South or West wall, to a North or East wall, where 

 they have perfectly recovered. 



Whenever you apprehend danger, wash or sprinkle the 

 trees with urine and lime-water mixed ; and when the young 

 ?.nd tender shoots are much infected, it will be necessary to 

 wash them well with a woollen cloth dipped in the following 

 mixture, so as to clear them of all the glutinous matter, that 

 their respiration and perspiration may not be obstructed. 



Take tobacco one pound, sulphur two pounds, unslaked 

 lime one peck, and about a pound of elder buds ; pour on the 

 above ingredients ten gallons of boiling water ; cover it close, 

 and let it stand till cold ; then add as much cold water as will 

 fill a hogshead. It should stand two or three days to settle, 

 then take off the scum, and it is fit for use. 



