568 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



mildew, a fungus that develops upon the berries and leaves, 

 often ruining the parts affected. All that is visible to 

 the naked eye is a white powdery substance, usually found 

 on the under-sides of the leaves and bunches. Jl this be 

 attacked at once it may be prevented from spreading, but il 

 allowed to establish itself it is very difficult to eradicate 

 The spores of this fungus can only germinate when a certain 

 amount of moisture prevails ; therefore the aim of the cul- 

 tivator should be to avoid a damp, stagnant atmosphere, by 

 maintaining a circulation of dry, warm air. On dull, mild 

 days decrease the atmospheric moisture and keep the pipes 

 of the house warm. Admit a little fresh air, so as to maintain 

 a constant circulation. The best remedy is flowers ol 

 sulphur, applied bv dusting the leaves and berries affected. 



Some growers paint the hot-water pipes with a mixture 

 of sulphur and water ; this also answers well, but great care 

 must be taken not to overheat the pipes when thus covered, 

 or probably the whole of the fruit and foliage will be 

 spoilt. In a day or two the spores of the mildew will have 

 perished, when syringe off the sulphur with clear, soft 

 water. Soft water, carefully applied, will not injure the 

 bloom on the Grapes, though if hard water be used a 

 sediment often remains on the berries after they become dry. 



The shanking, i.e., the withering, of portions of the 

 bunches is a most annoying malady, it such it may be 

 called. It is hot usually a whole bunch that is affected, 

 but generally one or mure ol the shoulders. Most growers 

 agree that shanking is the result of ill-health ; the Vine is 

 evidently not in a condition to properly bring to maturity a 

 crop of fruit. This may have been brought about through 

 several causes ; the roots have possibly entered a cold 

 subsoil, the Vines miy bear too heavy a crop, or perhaps 

 are crippled from a severe attack of red spider or 

 mildew. The border may have been oyerwatered or the 

 Vines checked in some manner, by improper ventilation or 

 the sudden removal of too much foliage. Once shanking 

 has commenced it is too late to remedy the evil ; all that 



can be done is during the following season to try to 

 prevent a recurrence. 



When the berries are very young, and their skins therefore 

 lender and easily injured, some may occasionally be seen of 

 a rusty colour. The berries thus affected have been injured 

 in some way, and are suffering from what is known as 

 "rust." Rubbing the berries with the head or hands when 

 thinning will cause " rust," and keeping the house hot and 

 dry when they are so young will also produce the same 

 result. Of the injurious insects which affect Vines, red 

 spider, scale, and mealy bug are the most prevalent and 

 harmful. The first-mentioned is difficult to eradicate, and 

 also does considerable injury to the foliage. 



With this, as with all other pests, it is important to begin 

 destructive measures as soon as the first signs of injury are 

 seen ; it is easier to check this insect than to remove it when 

 once established. A hot and dry atmosphere suits this 

 pest. Free and judicious ventilation is of benefit. Once it 

 does obtain a hold in the vinery, the simplest method of 

 checking it is to well syringe the affected parts with water 

 regularly several times daily, and once a day for a few 

 days apply a solution of soft soap and warm water. 



If a vinery becomes thoroughly infested with mealy bug it 

 is difficult to completely cleanse it. This insect is, perhaps, 

 the most undesirable of all pests to have in the vinery, for as 

 well as attacking the stems and leaves it greatly disfigures the 

 fruit also, and can only be removed from the bunches by 

 washing them. With Vines badly infested, remove all the 

 loose hark in the autumn, and well wash the rods with some 

 insecticide. The house also must be thoroughly cleansed 

 with soap and warm water, and the surface soil of the border 

 removed. Well syringe the Vines in the early autumn after 

 the fruit has been cut, before the pest disappears into 

 the many cracks and corners of the Vines and vinery. The 

 Vine scale sometimes affects Vines under glass, though not 

 to the same extent as those already mentioned. The simplest 

 way to remove it is with a brush and warm soapy water. 



THE STRAWBERRY, 



F 



BY G. WVTHES. 



h'W fruits are more delicious than the Strawberry upon a warm early summer day. 

 One desires Strawberries at all seasons, and those who have the means at their 

 disposal can, though the fruits are not so nicely flavoured as those gathered from 

 plants grown in the open ground, possess them for several months. 



Forcing Straw- 

 berries. — To obtain good 

 plants the best way is to layer 

 the runners in small pots as 

 soon as they can be secured. 

 It is advisable to grow a few 

 plants for runner production 

 only, not allowing them to 

 fruit, but to concentrate their 

 strength upon the formation 

 of early runner growth. This 

 method cannot always be 

 followed in private gardens, 

 but suitable stock can be 

 easily purchased from growers 

 who have the plants in small 

 r „ ID , CI , rT 6o-sized pots for forcing; 



STRAWBERRY, FILL BASKET. V b 



