484 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  ANJ  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
June  3,  1897. 
REMEDIES  WITH  SULPHUR. 
Sulphue  wsb  first  used  in  this  country  as  an  insecticide  and 
fungicide.  It  formed  an  ingredient  of  nearly  every  composition  advised 
by  the  old  practitioners  as  a  winter  dressing  for  fruit  trees,  some  laying 
stress  on  the  use  of  “  black  ”  (sulphur  vivum),  and  others  on  the  em¬ 
ployment  of  the  “  flowers.”  Even  now  the  “  black  ’’.  has  its  advocates  on 
the  score  of  cheapness,  less  objectionableness  to  the  eye,  and  for  effec¬ 
tiveness,  while  some  have  become  so  accustomed  to  the  “  flowers  ”  as  to 
scarcely  know  of  any  other  form. 
Perhaps  the  “  black  ”  really  has  the  most  value  for  horticultural 
purposes  from  containing  more  or  less  sulphate  of  iron,  and  on  that 
account  may  act  more  promptly  on  both  insects  and  fungi  than  the 
“  flowers,”  which  appear  to  tell  most  by  the  fumes,  and  in  slow  degree 
corrosively  by  contact  with  either  insects  or  fungi.  But  whether  by 
contact  or  fumes,  there  is  no  question  of  both  being  destructive  of 
external  parasites,  such  as  red  spider  and  surface  mould  or  mildew. 
True,  red  spider  is  only  incommoded  by  the  presence  of  sulphur  on 
leaves  when  the  sun  is  down  or  hidden  by  clouds,  but  as  soon  as  the 
weather  becomes  hot  there  is  a  scent  in  the  air  that  renders  the  red 
spider  uncomfortable,  and  it  gets  “  smaller  by  degrees  and  beautifully 
less.” 
Mildew  likewise  makes  a  sort  of  existence  where  sulphur  is  present 
when  the  weather  is  cold,  but  directly  the  sun  shines  powerfully  and 
long  it  takes  its  departure.  Thus  the  fumes  are  essential  for  banishing 
red  spider  and  annihilating  mildew.  In  thinking  over  this  fact  I  have 
often  wondered  what  effect  the  quarter  million  of  cwts.  of  sulphur  in 
the  coal  consumed  in  London  in  a  year  has  on  red  spider  and  mildew  in 
the  metropolitan  district.  Certainly  not  much  on  red  spider,  if  the 
defoliation  of  Limes  and  Elms  be  any  criterion  in  a  dry  season  ;  but  I 
think  it  does  something  for  mildew  to  the  advantage  of  the  cultivator, 
and  probably  other  pests  may  suffer  in  consequence  of  the  sulphur  fumes 
belched  forth  by  the  numberless  vertical  shafts. 
There  is  another  side  to  this  question — namely,  its  effect  on  vegeta¬ 
tion.  I  noticed  in  your  columns  last  year  a  quotation  from  an  American 
paper  advising  the  employment  of  sulphur  on  land  as  a  preventive  of 
Potato  scab.  I  do  not  know  what  sort  of  scab  they  have  in  America, 
but  one  form  in  this  country  is  greatly  aggravated  by  the  use  of  ashes, 
and  the  more  sulphur  in  them  the  worse  the  tubers  seem  to  be  scabbed. 
Sulphur  in  drills  when  sowing  Onion  seed  is  said  to  prevent  the  maggot. 
Is  it  so  ?  I  have  known  grand  specimen  Heaths  poisoned  by  dusting 
them  with  flowers  of  sulphur  for  killing  mildew,  and  then  thought  there 
was  danger  in  its  use  ;  while  I  have  not  found  any  record  of  sulphur 
being  advantageously  used  to  soil  as  regards  the  health  of  plants  or 
crops. 
Then  there  are  the  fumes.  I  have  seen  Roses  injured  by  the  con¬ 
tinued  use  of  flowers  of  sulphur  for  keeping  down  mildew  ;  also  golden 
coloured  Muscat  Grapes  turned  steel  blue  by  fumes  of  sulphur  emanating 
from  it  on  hot-water  pipes.  The  foliage  of  Cucumbers,  Melons, 
Tomatoes,  and  Vines  have  been  hardened  by  fumes  of  sulphur  from  hot- 
water  pipes,  Cucumbers  stunted  and  crooked,  and  Melons  cracked ; 
while  Tomatoes  have  been  scorched  and  Ecarred  by  sulphur  fumes. 
Adding  the  Grapes  to  the  picture,  my  consternation  at  the  effects  of 
sulphur  was  complete. 
That  is  the  dark  side  ;  it  is  darker  when  sulphur  is  burned  in  any 
structure  both  for  red  spider,  mildew,  and  the  plants  or  crops.  There 
is  the  brieht  side — red  spider,  white  fly,  and  the  mildew  killed  ;  and  the 
crops  6aved  by  the  timely  and  judicious  use  of  sulphur,  both  on  tbe 
plants  and  fumes  given  off  by  it  in  hot-water  pipes  when  heated  to 
between  170°  and  200°.  Some  go  farther,  and  aver  that  sulphur  fumes 
drive  out  or  prevent  the  coming  in  of  fungal  germs,  producing  internal 
diseases  in  crops.  That  may  be,  for  they  all  gain  entrance  to  the  plants 
they  infest  from  without— besides,  there  is  the  heat  and  comparatively 
drier  atmosphere,  in  which  the  parasites  may  not  be  able  to  germinate. 
All  this  shows  a  bright  side  in  theory  and  in  practice  ;  but  where  is  the 
proof  ?  What  mean  the  reserve  plants,  almost  as  many  in  some  cases  as 
those  set  out,  for  many  good  casualties  1  Why  all  this  resource  if  tbe 
sulphur  fumes  make  all  safe  ?  The  germs  seem  to  defy  the  sulphur 
fumep,  and  make  such  havoc  as  to  render  a  strong  reserve  imperative  ; 
therefore  we  may  dismiss  this  phase  as  chimerical,  and  are  left  in  the 
old  slough  of  uncertainty  and  bewilderment. 
The  most,  therefore,  that  can  be  said  for  sulphur  is  that  of  its  being 
useful  for  killing  certain  pests,  and  at  the  same  time  more  or  less 
inimical  to  vegetable  life  in  whatever  form  applied  ;  whether  to  the  roots 
or  tops  of  plants,  its  action  is  to  some  extent  detrimental.  This  property 
sulphur  has,  in  common  with  many  other  preventive  and  repressive 
articles,  and  though  it  may  be  difficult  to  otherwise  act,  it  is  time  that 
attention  be  given  to  such  substances  as  would  at  the  same  time  profit 
the  plant — cleansing,  refreshing,  and  invigorating  it,  as  does  the  rain. 
Sulphur  is  applied  in  two  ways — insoluble  and  soluble,  simple  or 
compound.  There  is — 1,  The  flowers  of  sulphur,  and  this  is  dusted  on. 
A  bellows  apparatus  is  best  for  applying  it,  and  the  less  the  better,  for 
it  is  not  the  quantity  but  the  method  of  administration  that  effects  the 
object  in  view,  and  remember  that  prevention  is  better  than  cure,  there¬ 
fore  use  the  sulphur  betimes,  and  repeat  as  necessary  for  the  destruction 
of  mildew. 
2,  The  liquid  application  consists  in  forming  either  black  sulphur 
or  the  flowers  of  sulphur  into  a  paste  with  skim  milk,  using  2  ozs.  of 
sulphur  to  a  4-gallon  watering  can  of  soft  water,  and  keep  it  mixed  by 
alternating  syringing  into  the  vessel  and  on  the  infested  plants.  This 
also  is  to  be  repeated  as  required  for  mildew. 
3,  Sulphide  made  by  slacking  1  lb.  of  quicklime  in  a  copper,  forming 
a  thin  whitewasn  with  a  gallon  of  water,  then  add  1  lb.  flowers, of 
sulphur,  mix  thoroughly,  and  boil  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  keeping  it 
stirred  all  the  time.  Let  it  settle  and  cool,  then  pour  off  the  liquor*, 
bottle,  and  keep  it  well  corked  in  a  dark  place.  Use  1  pint  to 
12  gallons  of  water,  or  a  quarter  of  a  pint  to  8  gallons.  This  is  for 
mildew,  and  if  used  on  Vines  must  be  syringed  off  in  a  quarter  of  an 
hour.  If  for  insects  or  mites,  either  red  spider  or  gall  mites,  add  2  ozs. 
of  softsoap  to  each  gallon,  thoroughly  dissolving  before  adding]  the 
bisulphide  of  calcium.  The  Bulphide  has  an  unpleasant  smell,  and 
discolours  paint,  therefore  discrimination  must  be  exercised  in  its  use,  but 
both  pass  off. 
4,  Sulphur  fumes  for  mildew,  red  spider,  and  white  fly  are  had  by 
forming  flowers  of  sulphur  into  a  cream  with  skim  milk,  and  applying 
with  a  brush  to  the  hot- water  pipes  heated  to  160°  or  more  and  the 
house  closed,  keeping  the  pipes  hot  about  an  hour  whilst  and  after  the 
mixture  is  applied,  then  allow  the  heat  to  fall  to  the  ordinary 
temperature.  jSsr  i 
Now  remember  that  if  sulphur  fumes — a  sort  of  sulphurous  gas — are 
effective  against  mildew,  red  spider,  and  white  fly  they  require  care,  for 
when  the  pipes  are  highly  heated,  and  the  fumes  are  long  continued, 
there  is  danger  of  the  foliage  and  the  fruit  being  hardened  so  as  not  to 
develop  well  afterwards,  Grapes  often  being  rusted  or  discoloured,  and 
the  effect  is  similar  on  other  fruits  ;  at  least,  such  has  been  the  experience 
of— Lucifek. 
CYTISUS  AND  GENISTAS. 
As  several  of  our  most  beautiful  hardy  flowering  shrubs  are  included 
in  one  or  other  of  these  genera  it  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  draw 
attention  to  a  few  of  the  best  for  general  garden  work.  In  the  “  Kew 
Hand  List  of  Trees  and  Shrubs  ”  thirteen  good  species  of  Genistas  and 
fifteen  of  Cytisuses  are  recorded,  together  with  a  selection  of  the  most 
distinct  varieties  of  those  species.  All  are  to  be  fouDd  in  the  collection 
of  leguminous  plants  near  the  pagoda  at  Kew,  whole  beds  being  made 
up  of  those  sorts  which  are  most  suitable  for  extensive  planting. 
Cytisuses. 
The  earliest  to  flower  of  this  genus  is  C.  biflorus,  a  yellow  flowered 
Eastern  European  species.  The  flowers  are  usually  produced  in  pairs 
(sometimes,  however,  in  groups  of  three  or  four)  all  along  the  previous 
year’s  growth.  In  mild  weather  the  first  flowers  are  produced  early  in 
April.  To  be  successful  with  this  it  is  necessary  to  renew  the  stock 
from  seeds  every  four  or  five  years,  as  the  plants  often  deteriorate  after 
that  length  of  time.  ■ 
Closely  following  this  comes  C.  pueeox,  a  well-known  hybrid  with 
sulphur  coloured  flowers.  It  is  a  hybrid  between  C.  albusand  C.  purgans, 
and  combines  the  good  qualities  of  both.  Besides  being  reckoned  as  one 
of  the  best  Cytisus,  this  can  also  be  classed  as  one  of  the  very  best  spring 
flowering  shrubs.  A  compact  growing  species  is  C.  purgans  with  its 
deep  yellow  flowers.  At  Kew  it  forms  bushes  H  to  2  feet  in  height  by 
the  same  in  width.  It  commences  to  flower  about  the  end  of  April. 
C.  albus,  like  the  preceding,  is  a  European  plant.  It  is,  however,  a 
taller  grower  with  a  freer  and  more  graceful  habit,  and  produces  pure 
white  flowers  in  great  profusion. 
C.  scoparius  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  our  native  shrubs,  and  can 
be  grown  in  almost  any  soil  or  situation.  It.  however,  well  repays  a 
little  extra  care,  as  it  produces  a  wealth  of  rich  yellow  flowers  excelled 
by  no  other  shrub.  The  variety  C.  scoparius  Andreanus,  which  has  the 
two  wing  petals  of  a  rich  brown  colour,  is  now  well  known,  and  needs 
little  recommendation,  as  when  once  seen  in  flower  it  is  always  remem¬ 
bered.  If  seeds  of  this  are  sown  about  30  per  cent,  will  be  found  to  comfr 
true.  C.  scoparius  var.  pendula  is  a  fine  variety,  but  rather  scarce.  The 
flowers  are  larger  than  those  of  tbe  type,  and  produced  on  pendent 
branches.  There  is  also  a  variety  with  cream  coloured  flowers  known  as 
“  Moonlight  Broom  ”  which  is  well  worth  growing. 
C.  purpureus  is  interesting  if  only  on  account  of  its  flowers  differing 
so  widely  in  colour  from  any  other  species.  It  is,  however,  a  very  good 
flowering  plant.  Growing  about  15  inches  in  height,  and  having, 
pendulous  branches  it  makes  a  good  plant  for  growing  on  rockwork. 
The  graceful  hanging  branches  looking  particularly  fine  when  wreathed 
with  rosy  purple  flowers  and  light  green  foliage.  It  is  a  native  of 
Eastern  Europe.  C.  Ardoini  is  a  charming  plant,  but  little  known.  It 
is  a  native  of  the  Maritime  Alps,  and  grows  only  a  few  inches  in  height. 
The  flowers  are  very  freely  produced,  and  bright  yellow  in  colour.  It 
looks  at  its  best  when  growing  on  a  rockery. 
C.  Kewensis  is  a  beautiful  hybrid  between  C.  Ardoini  and  C.  albus. 
It  is  a  prostrate  grower,  and  will  make  a  fine  plant  for  rockeries.  The 
flowers  are  cream  coloured,  and  very  freely  produced.  They  open  early 
in  May.  C.  nigricans  flowers  about  the  end  of  June.  The  blooms  are 
produced  on  upright  terminal  racemes  6  to  8  inches  in  length  on  present 
season’s  growth.  The  leaves  are  dark  green,  much  darker  than  in  any 
other  species.  Altogether  this  is  a  very  distinct  and  interesting  plant. 
It  should  be  cut  back  well  when  young,  otherwise  it  makes  a  leggy 
plant. 
Genistas. 
-  For  all  practical  purposes  one  name  would  do  for  the  two  genera* 
very  little  difference  existing.  The  most  noticeable  variation  is  that  in 
the  Cytisus  the  leaves  are  usually  ternate,  while  those  of  the  Genista 
are  simple.  Of  the  Genistas  the  following  are  the  best : — 
G.  mthnensis  from  Sicily  is  a  tall-growing  species,  attaining  a  height 
