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Sulphur (Element constantly present)

An element constantly present in protoplasm, though only in a very small amount. It is believed to be essential to living beings, and is supposed to be taken by plants from the soil, in Sulphate of Calcium, absorbed in solution by the roots. The sulphate is probably broken up on contact with the oxalates that are formed during growth, and the Sulphur is built up into organic compounds of the protoplasm group. The use of Sulphur to plants is, however, uncertain.

Sulphur as a Remedy. Sulphur is a very useful remedy against the attacks of the Mildew Fungi (see Mildew and Oidium) that live on the surface of the green parts of plants. It is used in the form of "Flowers of Sulphur," dusted upon both surfaces of the leaves, and of young shoots, by means of a Sulphurator (which see). The operation should be performed while the plants are still wet with dew. In this way, Sulphur is applied to Roses, Hops, Vines, &c., usually twice or thrice in a season; but it must be done at such periods as will permit of the Sulphur being all washed off any part that is afterwards to be made use of in food (e.g., Grapes or Hop catkins), before they are gathered. The Sulphur destroys the mycelium of such external Fungi. Weak solutions of Potassium Sulphide have been found to act equally as well as the powder, and are now coming into general use. Dusting with Flowers of Sulphur is a remedy also sometimes employed against larvae of Sawflies, and of Moths; and both the powder and solutions of Potassium Sulphide are used to destroy Green Fly and Red Spider. For the latter, the modes of treatment recommended are to syringe the plants, and then to scrub as vigorously as may be permitted, or to dip the shoots into the solution, which is prepared by carefully mixing 40z. of Sulphide of Calcium with 2oz. of soft soap, and then adding hot water up to one gallon in all. This solution should be made use of twice or thrice, and will be found a most useful application; or fluids containing Sulphur, e.g., Gishurst Compound and Veitch's Chelsea Blight Composition, may be employed with success.

SULPHURIC ACID, or OIL OF VITRIOL. In horticulture, this substance is of little use; for, though weak solutions (one part in fifty of water) have been used for syringing plants to destroy insect pests, it can be employed with safety only for hardy subjects; and there are various solutions preferable for use in this way. Sulphuric Acid is largely used in the preparation of soluble phosphates for manure. The sulphates, or compounds of Sulphuric Acid, are of considerable value. Solutions of Sulphate of Copper (Blue Vitriol) and of Sulphate of Soda are employed as washes for seeds of Oats, Barley, and other Cereals, to cleanse them from spores of the Smut Fungus (Ustilago segetum), and also against Bunt (Tilletia caries) in Wheat and in Barley. In like manner, Sulphate of Copper solution (one ounce to a gallon of water) is a valuable insecticide when syringed on plants.

Sulphates are often used as manures. Sulphate of Ammonia, prepared from gas-liquor, by the addition of Sulphuric Acid to it, or to the Ammonia that is removed from the liquor when steam is forced through it, has been found to add largely to crops when given as manure. It supplies Nitrogen in a form readily taken up by plants; but the amount should not exceed 1cwt. per acre. In the South of England, Sulphate of Lime, or Gypsum, is frequently used, in quantities of from 2cwt. to 10cwt. per acre, for Beans, Peas, and other leguminous plants, for which it is especially valuable, and with which it gives excellent results. In Germany, it is used for pastures, and also, to a less amount, for other produce. It is mostly burned and reduced to powder before being applied.