The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-04
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Mildew in VINEYARDS.

BIiIdew in Vineyards
The United States Consul at Zurich.
Switzerland, in communication to the De-
partment of State, gives some valuable in
formation regarding the agricultural laws
of that country, and solutions used for
spraying The following is an abstract of
the letter.
The authorities of all the Swiss Can
tons try In every possible way TO pro-
mote the agricultural interests of Swift
zerland If the late frosts of Spring or
hailstones injure growing crops, the Govern
ment, where found necessary, indemnifes
farmers with money appropriated for such
purposes, and thus helps them to bridge
over Improbable seasons On the other
hand, laws are passed and put into execu-
ton compelling the landowner to protect
his crops from pests and mildew. The COM
missioners, when they think spraying is
necessary, notify the farmers, prescribing
the solutions to be used, and making such
recommendations as they think best If
their first spraying does not remedy the evil
second one is then ordered.
Dg,EG
commissioners prescribe the following for
vineyards:
/. Bordeaux Solution.-DissoIve three
Kilograms Zone kilogram is about two and
| oDe-ffth pounds) of vitriol in so -liters of
water lone liter equals 10567 quarts, allow
| ing the Vitriol to dissolve entirely; then dis
| solve three Kilograms of lime in 80 liters of
! water also, and mix the two compounds
\ well, stirring the same continually while
spraying
2. Solution of blue vitrioI and soda.-Dis-
solve two Kilograms of vitriol in so liters of
water; also two and half Kilograms of crys-
tallized soda, in another vessel, in so Hters of
| water. Mix the two well, adding some
milk of lime. Stir the solution while using.
8. Solution of two Kilograms of vitriol,
one kilogram of crystallized soda, and one
kilogram of lime dissolved in 100 liters of
| water, well mixed and stirred.
To spray with any other solution than
the above is unlawful unless permission is
obtained from the local vineyard commits
sion.
To Kill Moths.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: To pre-
vent and destroy moths, curculiOs, and de-
structive pests that infest both fruit and
vines, have a few flambos made, such
as are used In PROFESSIONS; hang them
on poles four feet from the ground, fill with
coal oil, and light them as soon as dark.
Place them around in the orchard and gar
den. All insects will go to the light, and
that will end their mischief. 1t is better
and cheaper than spraying. The cabbage
moth is the only pest know of that works
in the daylight. 1t is small, hght-yellow
butterfly with dark spots on its wings
Fenelon.
Farm Notes.
The black and striped potato bugs can be
driven away by liberal use of air-slaked
lime.
Picking off the Colorado bugs is the most
effective.
Feed the mich cows, yearling cattle
weaned calves and thin sheep with green
sweet corn during the hot days, when flies
| are SO numerous.
Harvesting and Storing Roots.
The first thing to be done in the harvest
| ing and storing of roots is to cut off their
| tops with sharp hoe while the roots are
| yet in the ground, putting the tops from tive
rows-into one. To pull the roots take pillow
one with an old mold-board with the
upper half broken of, is best-plow them
out, throwing two rows together into the
/ space not occupied by the tops. The few
i
maybe thrown out with fork. In gath
ering the roots, use no baskets, but throw
| them directly into the wagon, cautioning
| the leaders to take one root in each hand,
knock them together to jar off the soil. The
load is driven directly to the cellar, where
| chute has been constructed about the length
| of the wagon box and leading to the cellar.
| The advantage of the chute consists in two
/ or three men being able to work at unload
I inc at the same time without being in each
| others way. The chute should be con-
! strueted with Slated bottom, so that all
| the loose dirt will drop to the ground. This
| freeing of the roots from earth is an impor-
tant factor in their keeping, as they viii
| certainly decay if much earth and litter 10
| left adhering. To further aid in the cleans
ing process, a dry time should be selected
| for the work. rs
The general rule is to harvest roots the
first week in November, though cireun-
stances may make a difference OF week
| in the time 1t is considered unwise to
leave them out longer, if the weather per-
| mits the work. For convenience in feeding
and to keep q comparatively high temporal
ture, the bin is placed in the center of the
| basement of large barn. The sides are
| made by boarding up the studding on the
| inside next the roots with cheap rough luEs
| Der. The outside is first covered with build
! ing paper and then with matched heml0ck
boards. In very cold seasons covering Of
| straw will prevent the roots from becoming
| frosted. Two or three ventilating tubes
should be placed among the roots These
/ are cheaply made by mailing four six-inc4
boards together, forming a tube, boring
anger holes in the four sides at frequent
intervals. Stored in this manner, roots may