173 



appears in the form of minute fungi, the roots of 

 which penetrate the pores of the epidermis, rob the 

 plant of its juices, and interrupt its respiration. There 

 seems to us every reason to beheve that the fungus is 

 communicated to the plants from the soil. Every 

 specimen of these fungi emits annually myriads of 

 minute seeds, and these are wafted over the soil by 

 the winds, vegetating and reproducing seed, if they 

 have happened to be deposited in a favourable place, 

 or remaining until the following spring without germi- 

 nating. These fungi have the power of spreading 

 also by stooling or throwing out offsets. They are 

 never absent from a soil, and at some periods of its 

 growth are annually to be found upon the plants 

 liable to their inroads. They are more observed in 

 cold, damp, muggy seasons, because such seasons are 

 peculiarly favourable to the growth of all fungi. The 

 best of all cures is a weak solution of common salt and 

 water sprinkled over the foliage of the plant affected, 

 by the aid of a painter's brush, or impelled by a 

 syringe. Dissolve three ounces of the salt in each 

 gallon of water, and repeat the application on two or 

 three successive days, applying it during the evening. 

 Nitre has been employed with similar success, using 

 one ounce to each gallon. (Johnson's Diet, of Mod, 

 Gardening.) 



Dusting the leaves with flowers of sulphur is also a 

 successful remedy. 



