August 19, 1905 



HORTl CU LTURE 



Varieties of Nicotiana Sanderae 



Herewith appears a phoioorapli of 

 partial group of Sander & Sons" 

 exhibit of the varieties of Nicotiana 

 Sanderae, which obtained a Gold 

 Medal of the Eoyal Horticultural 

 Society at tlie recent Temple Sliow 

 in London, and w'hich has since re- 

 ceived several awards at the pro- 

 vincial and continental exhibitions 

 in Europe. Varieties varying from 

 the purest white to intense crimson 

 and also blue were exliibited. The 

 pleasing combination of coloring 

 and wealth of flower, together with 

 an abundance of foliage at the base 

 of the group, created universal ad- 

 miration from the many visitors. 



a, 



Violet Diseases 



1. SPOT DISE.\SE, LEAF SPOT, LEAF KLST, OK BLICllT. 

 (ALTERNARIA violae) 



The spot disease caused by Alternaria is the worst 

 pest attacking the violet, causing ninety-five per cent, 

 of all the damage from leaf spots. It attacks the plant 

 at any stage of its g^ow^h, from the cuttings just put 

 in, to the mature plan in full bloom, particularly those 

 plants making a soft, succulent growth. It shows as 

 "small, yellowish definite, usually circular spots, 

 resembling the bites or stings of insects and varying in 

 size from the point of a pin to the lead of a blunt lead 

 pencil." This point of infection is surrounded by a 

 narrow, blackish band. In a few days this bleaches to a 

 yellowish or grayish white. When many of the spots 

 "occur they coalesce and irregular blotches result. 



Spores are borne in chains which appear as dark 

 spots in the decayed portion. 



Damp, warm, cloudy weatlier. hot, dry days followed 

 by moist, cool nights, such as occur in August or Sep- 

 tember, a watery growth, or poor watering and venti- 

 lating give the fungus a fine, chance to develop and 

 spread. 



Treatment. Fungicides are of little use. The plants 

 must be kept clean and in fine, healthy condition. Take 

 cuttings from stocky, vigorous plants, and use the great- 

 est care in ventilating, watering, and firing. Keep water 

 and dew off the leaves. Kill the insects. Pick off and 

 burn everv affected leaf as soon as it is seen. 



(T.I 



BASI- 



2. wilt, stem rot, root rot. 

 color) 



This disease is second in importance only to the spot. 

 It is confined mostly to- stems, although sometimes 

 attacking the roots. Tlif fungus generally gains 

 admittance in the cuttiiit: bed, and. as it works very 

 slowly, the plant may root and grow for several months 

 before succumbing to its rnvages. The disease lives in 

 the tissues often coinplfn ly girdling the stem, thus 

 shutting off the supplies, ft is capable of living on bits 



of organic mailer in the soil, hence tlie ciitting-bed 

 sliould be coijipo-sed of clean sand. 



Treatment. Examine all plants before setting out 

 and destroy any siiowing of slimy, rotten interior. Take 

 cuttings from new growth, for divisions of the old 

 growth will eoiitain the disease. 



:;. SCALD or edge burn 



This is not a fungus disease, but a physiological 

 disorder. It is characterized by the margins of the 

 leaves turning yellow, and later a papery white. 



Tliis is of little account except that it serves as a 

 foothold for other diseases, and indicates a lack of 

 vigor on the part of the plant. 



Strong liquid manures, both organic and commer- 

 cial, cold, damp situations, rapid evaporation from the 

 leaves uncompensated in the soil, cold and heavy soils, 

 and. in short, anything not ideal will bring it on. 



Tn-(iiment. Prevention. 



4. CROWN ROT 



Crown rot is a disease that converts the crowns of 

 the jilants into a slimy mass. It is generally brought 

 on when the crowns are kept wet, as when the roof 

 drips on them. 



Treatment. Give jileiity of light and air, o[)ening 

 t)ie plants themselves. 



Sprinkle a mixture of equal parts of air-slaked lime 

 and flowers of sul])hur en the affected parts. 



5. NEMATODES, OR EEL WORMS 



Millets are often attacked by these minute worms 

 which make nodules on the roots. They are of little 

 importance and. if the soil is changed every year, they 

 won't get numerous enmigh to do any damage. Ster- 

 ilization will take care nf them. 



These are not all the troubles to which the violet is 

 subjected but are the worst ones of general wide- 

 spread importance. 



