Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-08
Treatment Of Diseases and Insects that
affect the Grape.


For the benefit of those who raise grapsl
we publish the circular concerning
the treatment Of diseases 'saad insect:
affecting the grape, issued by the Virgins
Agricultural Experiment Station, prepared
by Prof. William B. Atwood, botanist and
entomologist. As the remedial measure.
for parasitic fungi are of preventive anl
not curative nature the application must
be made before or promptly after the ap
pearancs of disease. The fruit already af
fected cannot be restored to health.
PREPARATORY TREATMENT.
The vines should be pruned carefully
during any convenient season after the TO.
liage has fallen. Many growers do this
work in the latter part of winter. The sea
son is mmaterisl, bus it should always bs
done before growth starts. We recon-
mend no particular system, but consider
fau.shaped pruning on the renewal system
with two to four bearing canes as simple
and practical where vines are trellised or
wires, as they usually are in this state
The brush should, of c0urse, be removed
and the leaves, deosyed lunches of fruit,
and rubbish should be carefully plowed un.
der. After the vines are tied up, and be-
fore growth has started, we advise that the
vines be thoroughly washed with solution
OF sulphate of iron (copperas), or with a sol.
ution of concentrated lye, in accordance
with the formula and directions herein
given.
PLAN OF EXPERIMENTS.
Eight plots or sections of the vineyard
should be selected, containing one hundred
vines each. Less will answer if it is not
possible to make good selection of this
number, and these should, if possible, be
composed Of two of the most generally
grown varieties of your part of the State.
Each experiment should be tried on the
same varieties, and care must be exercised
to select sections showing equal vigor and
equally well situated as to soil, exposure,
etc.
The plots or sections should be carefully
diagrsmmed, aud the position and number
of vines of each variety marked.
A full and separate record OF each plot
must be kept, and general comparison
should be made with portions of vineyard
cot in the test.
FORMULA AND DIRECTIONS.
(1) Sulphate of Iron, saturated ISOLATION,
lbs to 1 gallon.
This is to be applied to one half of the
vines of plot and to all the zines of each
alternate plot, being 8, 5. Z. The vines
and posts should be washed thoroughly
with the solution, and it must be done be.
fore the buds swell. Only one half of plot
is to be treated with this solution, be-
cause We desire to have the other half left
entirely without treatment for comparison
The other odd numbered plots are to be
all thoroughly washed with it.
(2) Concentrated lye solution-1 lb to 10
gallons water.
This is to be applied to one half of plot
2, and to all the vines of each alternate
plot, being those numbered A, 6, 8. The
further notes under previous number apply
to this, except that it is used on the even
numbered instead of the odd numbered
plots.
(3) Sulphate copper-2 pounds dissolved
in l gallon boiling water; fresh caustic lime
-24 pounds slaked in sufficient water to
make paste. Pour the solution of copper
sulphate slowly into the lime while hot,
and stir until chemical action ceases. It is
then ready for use. This quantity should
be diluted to make 25 gallons.
1t is to be applied to plot several days
bsfore the vines come in bloom, and re.
peated in Is days. Then, on one balf the
plot it shall be twice more applied at Is
day intervals following the second applica-
ton. This gives one half the plot two ap-
plications and the other four.
az Same as previous, except use 4 lbs
copper sulphate instead of 2 pounds; lime
and water remaining the same.
Apply this preparation to plot as in
previous first, two applications to the
whole plot, and third aud fourth applica.
tions to one half of it. Note carefully the
effect of this treatment on young foliage,
and also effect, if any, on gro WITH of canes.
10y Copper sulphate, Q pounds; carbonate
of sods, p pounds; each dissolved in gal.
lon of hot water. aud mixed as prescribed
in ~; dilute to 25 gallons.
First, two applications to whole of plot
8, and third and fourth applications to but
one half, in the same manner as prescribed
for No. 8.
(s) Same as (5), except use 4 pounds cop.
per sulphate, without changing ingredients,
and apply to plot 6, as directed for No. 8.
90 Copper carbonate, 3 ounces; dissolve
in quart strong ammonia; dilute to 25 gal
Ions water. Apply to plot in the same
(0) Double the copper carbonate and am.
monia with sams smount of water, and ap-
ply to plot in same manner as directed
for plot g.
1t is hoped that this series of experiments
will help to determine the value of washing
the dormant vines, and the after treatment
is calculated to give information as to the
strength and frequency of applications nee.
essary with three Of the most important
fuugicides used on grapes. The copper
soda preparation (5) has been used by this
Department for the past two years with
good results. The treatment herein pre-
scribsd is aimed particularly ut bla5k rot,
but it will doubtless be eficacious for mil
dew, and We hope may affect somewhat the
anthi e nose of the vine.
We aduise the lye pash and preparations
~ or (5) to be applied four times for gener-
al Vineyard acork. If thess do not hold the
disease in check, use the stronger prepara-
tons, viz ~ or (6).
1t will be noticed that we are advising al
most identical treatment for widely differ
ent diseases. This is in accordance with
our experience; aud we are aiming ct all
times to still more simplify the fungicidal
and insecticidal preparations.
APPLICATION OF PREPARATIONS.
We recommend that the application of
these preparations be made at all times
With force pump which delivers the ma
terisl through spray nozze at the end of
rubber tube. For orchard work the
pump should be strong enough to give t Q
spray considerable force. and the rubber
tube or hose should be ten to twenty feet
long, as this permits of free motion of the
Oneras0r about the trees
For vineyard work, we recommend the
knapsack pumps. The best of these is the
Japy, made in France. The firm in Wash
ington, D. c., makes fairly good knap.
sack pump.
The nozzIes now most used are the Eddy
Chamber or Cyclone, aud the Climax.
These can be obtained from most manufac-
turers.
The following firms manufacture and sell
spray pumps -
W. s. B. Douglas, Middletown, Conn. !;
The Gnuld's. Ssreca Falls, N. Y; Field
Force Pump Co., Lockport, N. Y; Nixon
Nozzle & Machine Co., Dayton, Ohio; AL
binsou & Co., Washington, D. G.
Parties intending to purchase should
write to several or all of the above firms