INFLUENCES AND EFFECTS. 231 



anxiety to produce. And again, upon taking a share and tho 

 management of this business, another infected collection fell to 

 my lot, so that I have been doing earnest battle with this disease 

 since its first appearance amongst us, and I must confess that, 

 up to a very short time back, I had come in for a great deal tho 

 worst of the fight, although I had made use of every agent I 

 could imagine as being likely to aid me, and all that many 

 competent friends could suggest. But lately I was reminded of 

 Condy's patent fluid, diluted with water, and at once procured a 

 bottle of the green quality, and applied it in the proportion of a 

 large tablespoonful to one quart of water, and upon examining 

 the plants dressed, twelve hours afterwards, was delighted to 

 find it had effectually destroyed the disease (which is easily 

 discernible, as when it is living and thriving it is of a light 

 grey colour, but when killed it becomes of a rusty black). 

 Further to test the power at which the plant was capable of 

 bearing the antidote without injury, I used it double the 

 strength. This dose was instant death to the pest, leaving 

 no trace of any injury to the foliage. As to its application, 

 I advocate sponging in all dressings of this description 

 Syringing is a very ready means, but very wasteful. No doubt 

 sponging consumes more time, but taking into consideration the 

 more effectual manner in which the dressing can be executed 

 alone, it is in the end most economical, especially in regard to 

 this little parasite. I have found it difficult by syringing, as it 

 has great power of resisting and throwing off moisture, and if 

 but a very few are left living, it is astonishing how quickly it 

 redistributes itself. I feel confident, that by the application of 

 this remedy in time another season, I shall keep thi? collection 

 clean. I believe planting the hollyhock in large crowded beds 

 should be avoided, as I have observed the closer they are 

 growing the more virulently does the disease attack them, 

 whereas isolated rows and plants are but little injured." * 



The "Gardener's Chronicle" has also sounded a note of warning 

 that a species of Uredine has been very destructive to pelar- 

 goniums at the Cape of Good Hope. Hitherto tlioso plants 

 * "Gardener's Chronicle," August 22, 1874, p. 213. 



