120 



GARDEiTC^G FOR PLEASURE. 



clear, the caustic qualities of tlie lime will "be quickly 

 fatal to the worm. 



CHAPTER XXXVHL 



MILDEW. 



Mildew is a parasitical fungus, often seen on greenhouse 

 and other plants, and is quickly destructive to their health. 

 But as with all other plant troubles, it is best to prevent 

 rather than cure. Care should be taken, particularly 

 where roses or grape yines are grown under glass, as both 

 of these are especially liable to be attacked, to avoid a 

 rapid change of temperature, or a long exposure to sud- 

 den chill by draughts in ventilating. As soon as spots 

 of grayish-white appear on the leaves of roses or grape- 

 vines, either out-doors or under glass, it is certain that 

 mildew is present, but if it has not been neglected too 

 long, the following preparation will usually be found a 

 prompt remedy. Take three pounds each of flowers of sul- 

 phur and quick-lime, put together and slake the lime, and 

 add six gallons of water ; boil all together until it is re- 

 duced to two gallons, allow the liquid to settle until it 

 gets clear, then bottle for use. One gill only of this is 

 to be mixed in five gallons of water, and syringed over 

 the plants in the evening, taking care not to use it on the 

 fruit when ripe, as it would communicate a taste and 

 smell which would render it useless. Applied in this 

 weak state, it does not injure the leaves, and yet has the 

 power to destroy the low form of vegetable growth, which 

 we call mildew. We apply it just as we do tobacco, once 

 or twice a week, as a preventive, and we rarely have a 

 speck of mildew. 



