June 1, 1909 
Onion Mildew. 
This troublesome parasite, which is to 
be found in all countries where the onion 
is grown, is caused by a fungus, a near 
relation of the dreaded potato-blight. All 
members of the onion family are subject 
to attack, the leaves being the organs 
which are directly affected. The first 
signs of disease consist of the develop- 
ment of yellowish patches on the leaves. 
These areas soon become covered with a 
delicate coating of mould, much as if 
they had been powdered with flour. This 
coating soon changes to a grey or light- 
brown colour Meanwhile the disease 
increases rapidly unti] the whole leaf is 
affected and withers away. The appear- 
ance of ‘thick neck’ is especially 
characteristic of this disease. 
are not directly attacked, but if the dis- 
@ase appears early in the year they 
remain extremely small, and do not 
mature properly, so that the crop is 
practically ruined, 
There are two methods of reproduction 
—first, by summer spores, which serve to 
disseminate the disease from crop to crop 
during the growing season; and, secondly, 
by rounded thick-coated bodies, called 
resting spores, which are produced in the 
decaying tissues of the leaves, and remain 
dormant throughout the winter. In the 
Spring they germinate and inoculate the 
young crop, 
— Treatment. — 
The crop should be thoroughly sprayed 
with Bordeaux mixture, using the 4-4-40 
formula as a preventive. If this has 
been neglected, then spray as soon as the 
disease is detected. This spraying should 
be repeated whenever the disease appears 
to be gaining ground. The use of potas- 
sium-sulphite—1 oz. to 2 gallons of water 
for small plots, as it is more easily pre- 
pared than Bérdeaux mixture, although 
not quite so reliable—is recommended. 
— Bordeaux Misture. — 
4 lb. sulphate of copper; 4 lb. fresh 
lime (if fresh lime is not obtainable use 
5 Ib. of ordinary washing soda instead of 
4 lb. of lime) ; 40 gallons of water. 
—‘ New Zealand Farmer.’ 
The bulbs. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Destruction of Slug’s 
and Snails. 
We have been asked for a remedy 
against slugs (Vaginula) which are 
proving such a pest to gardeners just 
now. 
The following, taken from Circular 53 
of the ‘Comision de Parasitologia 
Agricola,’ Mexico, indicates some of the 
methods that have been found useful in 
dealing with slugs and snails, which are 
sometimes a serious pest in that 
country :— 
‘The collection of snails by hand has 
been tried and found successful. The 
best times for the practice of this method 
are at the beginning and end of the 
rainy season. 
Pieces of board smeared with fat on 
the underside are laid down in infested 
places, with room beneath for the snails 
to collect. Cabbage leaves with rancid 
butter on one side, melon rinds, and the 
leaves of the common acacia are useful in 
attracting the snails, é 
For trapping slugs a very useful trap 
may be made of earthen flowerpots pro- 
vided with a cover and having a row of 
holes around the middle, These pots are 
sunk into the ground so that the holes 
come about at the surface. The inside 
of the pot is smeared with beer, a small 
amount of which is put into a dish at. 
bottom, 
Another useful trap is made of a cone 
of galvanised iron, with many perfora- 
tions, which is sunk into the ground, 
leaving only the top row of holes above 
the surface. Pieces of potato, carrot, and 
apple have been found attractive baits in 
this trap. 
When slugs and snails have been 
trapped, they may be killed by boing left 
for five hours in a 5 per cent solution of 
copper sulphate in water, or a 2 per cent. 
solution of lime in water. 
These pests may be kept away from a 
nursery or garden plot by means of a 
rope of twisted grass or fibre soaked in a 
10 per cent. solution of copper sulphate 
and stretched around the border. Bands 
of cloth soaked in this solution and 
fastened around the trunks of trees may 
17 
be used to prevent the ascent of slugs 
and snails, while a solution of iron sul- 
phate, 26 per cent. to 50 per cent., applied 
in aring 4 inches wide around the trunk 
of the tree, is said to stop the passago of 
these small animals. They may be killed 
in weeds, hedges, &c., by spraying with 
al percent. to 4 per cent. solution of 
copper sulphate, or a1 per cent solution 
of common salt. 
Snails and slugs are eaten by geese, 
and the species of one genus of carnivo- 
rous snails (Glandina) are known to 
attack those that feed on plants. 
Spinach and Onions. 
Prominent specialists claim that 
spinach is the most precious of vegetables, 
on accountof its medicinal and streng- 
thening properties. The emollient and 
laxative virtues of spinach, owing pro- 
bably to the salts of potash it contains, 
have long been known. It is excelent 
for the liver, and, as a consequence, 
freshens the complexion, Some vege- 
tables contain a relatively large dose of 
iron. According to Dr. Boussingault the 
proportion is 0:00074 of iron in 100 parts 
of French beans, 0:0083 in 100 parts of 
lentils, and spinach very much more, 
The chemist Bunge has proved that 
spinach and yolk of egg are proportion- 
ately richer in digestible and assimilable 
iron than many ferruginous remedies, 
Its great value and growing importance — 
is shown in the fact that spinach ig 
already an active ingredient in several 
new and valuable tonics. Onions are 
almost the best nervine known. They 
are most useful in cases of nervous 
prostration, and will greatly assist in 
giving tone to the system. They are 
useful in all cases of coughs, colds, 
influenza, and scurvy and kindred com- 
plaints. Eaten every other day they 
soon have a whitening and clearing effect 
on the complexion. 
—‘ Faulding’s Journal.’ 
a 
OMMERCIAL AND ORNAMEN- 
TAL PRINTING of every descrip- 
tion in first-class style, on the shortest 
notice, and at cheapest rates, at the 
“ Australian Gardener’’ Office, corner of 
Pirie and Wyatt streets. 
