348 



ON THE CULTURE 



the mildew on the peach and apricot : for sulphur 

 alone retards the progress of that most fatal dis- 

 order, and the soap and turpentine render the 

 mixture of a slimy consistence, and leave a clammy 

 -coat or covering on the leaves, of a glossy appear- 

 ance, which very likely may contribute to stop the 

 progress of that disorder. But the fruit-trees 

 here having been constantly clear of the mildew, 

 I have therefore not had an opportunity of making 

 any other experiment with it than upon exotic 

 plants, on which it had the desired effect ; and 

 the plants did not seem to have sustained the least 

 injury. 



I shall observe, that this method ought by no 

 means to be practised on fruit-trees near the time 

 that their fruit is ripening, as the mixture would 

 probably discolour the fruit, and render it disagree- 

 able to the taste. 



But melons in frames may be sprinkled with it 

 at all times when they require it, because that 

 fruit may easily be covered with a cabbage-leaf, 

 or any thing of the kind, at the time of the oper- 

 ation. 



A strong lye, made of wood-ashes, will likewise 

 destroy the Acari ; but that, as well as briny and 

 spirituous compositions, ought never to be applied 

 to plants, because they greatly injure them, and 

 commonly cause their leaves to fall off. 



Having given directions for extirpating the more 

 pernicious kinds of the insects above described, 

 when numerous, I shall now suggest a iew hints 



