CHAPTER XIII 



Diseases and Injuries 



Up to a certain period, the carnation had been considered among the 

 flowers least subject to disease, and for many years after the plant was 

 brought into general cultivation, very little was heard of carnation dis- 

 eases. Sometimes plants did not seem to do well. In such cases, it was said 

 they needed different soils, or less water, less heat, or more ventilation, but 

 clearly defined diseases were practically unknown to the carnation grower. 



About the year 1889, Professor Seymour of Massachusetts described 

 the disease of the carnation called Spot (Septoria Dianthi), which aroused 

 the attention of florists to the fact that the plant was subject to disease. 

 However, Professor Seymour's publication raised no particular apprehen- 

 sion in the minds of growers, as comparatively little damage had yet been 

 done. 



Three years later, the advent of Carnation Rust caused a great deal of 

 concern among growers, many of whom thought that this disease would 

 eventually prove fatal to successful carnation culture. The appearance of this 

 disease caused a considerable disturbance to trade, and loss of confidence 

 between dealers in carnation plants ; many being unable to definitely recog- 

 nize the disease, suspected every little defect in carnation foliage to be the 

 Rust. 



In 1889, Wm. Falconer wrote regarding Professor Seymour's article : 



"This whole question of plant disease is one of vast importance to us, but practical 

 men like myself are absolutely unfit to grapple with the subject; it is a matter for the 

 scientist. We can understand fairly well anything we can see plainly, but obscure 

 diseases bother us. It is not enough for us to say, 'Oh, it's some sort of a fungus.' 

 Be precise, know for a certainty whether it is a fungus or not, and, if a fungus, what 

 fungus it is ; also, whether the fungus is the cause or the effect." 



The manifest wisdom of Mr. Falconer's suggestion impressed many 

 leading carnation growers, who promptly accepted his advice, and called 

 upon the various scientists whose positions warranted their being compe- 

 tent advisors upon the subject. The American Carnation Society was 

 favored with well written papers, profusely illustrated with the details 



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