1869.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 357 



been cured from the earlier stages of consumption has never the vigour 

 and energy of one who never has been attacked at all. 



Mildew is another disease which frequently attacks the Apple, espe- 

 cially in dry seasons such as the present. Some kinds are more liable 

 to its ravages than others. The more delicate and tender sorts 

 often suffer much, while those of a stronger constitution escape, 

 thus giving effect to the general law of nature that the weak shall 

 suffer first. Mildew makes its appearance upon the young leaves and 

 shoots of fruit trees early in summer. A deposit of matter, giving the 

 branch the appearance of having been dusted over with flour, makes its 

 appearance. When touched with the finger it has a soft uncomfortable 

 feeling. This matter is no less than a parasitic fungus, having life and 

 growing, and in course of time sending off millions of little spores, 

 which, borne upon the wings of the wind, may be carried to far and 

 distant climes, there to work havoc upon the fruitful trees of sunny 

 lands. I am of opinion, however, that dryness is not the sole cause of 

 its appearance, and that it is not created for the time being and then 

 for ever dies, but that it lives and dies generation after generation, the 

 same as any other member of the vegetable kingdom. Seeing this to 

 be the case, I further believe that cold easterly winds help to bring it 

 to us ; that it would matter little whether the season were dry or not ; 

 if the wind kept always in the west, we would have little or no mildew 

 upon our trees. I am therefore of opinion that the state of the atmo- 

 sphere during cold sharp east winds is such as to be most conducive to the 

 spread of this disease. Then it is dry, searching, and sharp — the spores 

 will also be dry, light, and easily upborne ; and with all these things 

 working together for its migration, it need not be doubted, and I firmly 

 believe, that it may fly for hundreds of miles, borne upon the wings of 

 the wind, ere it lodges upon the branches of our trees, and becomes the 

 mildew of the fruit cultivator. Dry sulphur, blown on with a sul- 

 phurator or sulphur-box while the dew rests upon the branches, will be 

 found to be the best remedy which can be applied. 



James M'Millax. 

 {To he continued.) 



NOTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



Androsace. — This is one of the prettiest of the genera of Primulacese, 



• and a most interesting group of alpine plants. Several of the species 



are annual, others are biennial, but the greater number are perennial, 



and all are rather difficult to keep under ordinary conditions near the 



