The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-08-08
Fungus Diseases.

Market gardeners often lose crop OF
canteloups, tomatoes or potatoes from
fungus disease or leaf blight, which at
tacks the leaves, gradually spreading
until the entire plant becomes involved.
We have seen entire fields so completely
destroyed that scarcely enough fruit was
gathered to pay for the EXPENSES OF pre-
pairing the ground, much less pay a
profit. We are now trying series OF
experiments with various fungicides
recommended by the National Depart
ment of Agriculture, our own vines be-
ing infected, and hope to give a favor
able report of their action later on.
In the circular issued by Commissioner
Norman J. Colman are some twenty
three receipts, most of which contain
sulphate of copper (blue stone) in con-
nection with either lime, sulphur, ashes,
or all of these in combination; also di-
rections for other preparations, either IN
powder or liquid form. However, as
most of them seem to be very much
alike in their composition, we select only
few for publication, and have no doubt
if they are faithfully and intelligently
applied will completely eradicate the
disease, whether upon trees, vines or
vegetation of any description.
The first upon the list is a simple solu-
tion of sulphate of copper, made by dis
solving one pound in twenty-five gallons
of water. This has been used success
fully in the treatment of downy mildew
on the grape.
2. A modification of copper mixture
of Gironde is as follows: Sulphate OF
copper, four pounds: lime, four pounds;
water, twenty-five gallons. This is
used for downy mildew and black rot IN
the grape; also for blight and rot OF the
potato and tomato.
8. Eau Celeste. one pound
of sulphate of copper in two gallons OF
hot water; when dissolved and cool add
one and one-half pints commercial am
monia and dilute to twenty-five gallons.
Used for same diseases as in preceding
receipt.
4. Blight Powders. Prepared by mix
ing three to eight pounds anhydrous
suIphate of copper with ninety to one
hundred pounds -four of sulphur.
5. Davids' Powder. four
pounds sulphate of copper in least pos
sible quantity of hot water, and slake
sixteen pounds of lime with the smallest
quantity of water required. When
completely cool mix thoroughly, let the
compound dry in the sun, crush and
sift.
The liquids should be sprayed on the
vines, using pump with spraying
nozzle.
The powders may lie distributed with
powder bellows or with a common
funnelshaped sitter covered with fine
wire gauze. >,
The following caution is given: Avoid
making the applications excessive; do
not drench the plants with the fluids or
plaster them with the powders. With
suitable spraying apparatus, which
projects a fine mist-like spray, merely
wet the plant surfaces, and employ bel
lows which will discharge the powder
evenly and in such manner that the
plants may be enveloped in a cloud of
dust, which, settling upon all parts, be-
comes just perceptible.
The necessity for good and easily
worked spraying pumps is evident.
For small plantations and general vine
yard use the knapsack form of sprayer,
having the reservoir and pump COM
bincd, to be carried upon the back, is
recommended. - Mcw Orleans Times
Dtmocrat.