62 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Jury, 1898. 
of lime or magnesia will affect the colour and give a bitter taste. The dose 
will depend upon the amount of acidity in the wine, which should be tested by 
taking five measured quart samples, and into the first put 3 grains of the 
neutral tartrate, into the second 6, the third 9, and so on, dissolving the salt 
in a little of the wine, and well mixing. After a few days the effect will be 
produced, and the taste will tell you which is the correct dose, which then 
becomes a simple matter of calculation. 
Under no circumstances mix acetified with sound wine, with the idea of 
diminishing the taste, as the good wine would be spoilt as well, unless the 
unsound wine has been pasteurised; and even then it is not quite safe to do so. 
Use every precaution to prevent the development of acescence. 
TREATMENT FOR ANTHRACNOSE. 
Te time is approaching when vignerons should adopt precautionary measures 
against Anthracnose or black spot, a fungus disease that causes considerable 
damage to grapes in wet seasons, and. which is likely, unless kept in check, to 
spread with considerable rapidity. The remedy is cheap, easily prepared and 
easily applied, so that vignerons have no excuse for omitting this necessary 
part of vine cultivation. The man who has his vineyard infected with 
Anthracnose and neglects to apply the treatment is either too lazy to do so or 
is indifferent to the fate of his grapes and his vines. 
A fortnight’ before the eyes of the spurs begin to swell—that 1s, when the 
sap is on the move—the vine should be well serubbed down with a hardish brush 
from bottom to top with the following solution :— 
Sulphate of iron, 5 |b. 
Water, 1 gallon 
Sulphuric acid, 4 0z.; or, 
Sulphuric acid, 1 1b. 
Water, 10 lb. 
The last remedy has been found by repeated experiments in Europe to be 
just as efficacious as the first, and is easier to make. Vignerons would do well 
to try the effect of both the first time, and see which has the better action. 
The solutions are best prepared in a wooden vessel, as a bucket or small 
tub, but a new kerosene tin will prove a serviceable and handy article for their 
use. Pourthe water on the sulphate of iron, and then add the acid very 
carefully to avoid splashing ; stir until the sulphate is dissolved—or for the 
second remedy pour the acid very gently into the water and stir. The point to 
be observed is to avoid splashing of the acid on the person or clothing. 
Before applying the above solutions it is better to rub off all detached bark 
from the vine, which must be religiously burnt, as should be all the débris 
from the pruning, and last year’s leaves, tendrils, &¢., if they have not been 
already ploughed in. This is a very important point to which too much 
attention cannot be given: wood and leaves of last season swarming with germs 
ready to propagate nextsummer. If the eyes have already begun to swell, use a 
softer brush or a small wool mop, and be careful to leave no part of the vine 
untouched, but slop the solution well into all parts. Do not forget to apply 
the same to stakes to which the vines are tied. 
