498 



So^iE Strawberry Diseases. 



[NOV., 



a number of different formulas existed, and as a result the 

 following directions have been issued : — Use one pound of lime 

 and one pound of sulphur to every four gallons of spray which 

 is to be made. First, slake the lime, then add the sulphur and 

 enough additional water, so that the mixture will stir easily. 

 Heat the mixture to boiling point, stirring thoroughly all the 

 time. Continue the boiling until the sulphur is all dissolved. 

 This will generally require from half an hour to one hour of 

 brisk boiling. After the sulphur is all in solution add water to 

 complete the required volume and transfer to the spraying tank 

 through a coarse sieve in order to remove any coarse impurities 

 which might clog or injure the spray nozzles. 



Strawberry Leaf Spot {Sphaerella fragariae, Tul.). — Dark 



•brown spots appear scattered over the surface of the leaf, which 



gradually increase in size, becoming 



Some Strawberry whitish at the centre and surrounded by a 

 Diseases. 



red margin. When this stage is reached 

 the leaf turns yellow and soon dies, and as the disease usually 

 spreads very quickly, much injury follows, more especially wher> 

 the epidemic occurs early in the season. 



Bordeaux mixture, half the normal strength, should be used 

 on the first indication of the disease. This is important, as 

 when the fruit is set spraying must cease. 



As the fungus forms fruit on the decayed leaves, these should 

 be removed, and the most effective method is by burning. In 

 the autumn sprinkle a thin layer of straw over the entire bed 

 and set it on fire ; by such means not only all diseased leaves,, 

 but also spores lying on the ground, are destroyed. This may 

 at first sight appear to be a drastic method ; nevertheless^ 

 experience has proved it to be highly successful, and followed 

 by a luxuriant growth of healthy and vigorous foliage. 



Strawberry Mildew {Sphaerotheca castagnei, Lev.). — During 

 recent yeirs strawberry growers have experienced serious loss^ 

 due to the presence of a fungus which completely covers the 

 ripe fruit with a dense white mildew. Although usually only 

 noticed by the grower on the fruit, the fungus generally occurs 

 first on the under surface of the leaves, where it is not so con- 



