The Fungus Pests of certain Flowers 



have never been seen on the threads or upon any spawn. The 

 spores are very ornamental objects, consisting of from three to six 

 compacted inner brown bodies, surrounded by an indefinite number 

 of transparent cells. At maturity these spores break up as at B, and 

 both the inner dark bodies and the outer transparent ones are 

 capable of germinating and reproducing the fungus. 



The Colchicum is attacked by a closely allied but different species 

 of Urocystis viz. U. colchid. The Ranunculacese are attacked by 

 another ally in U. pompholygodes, and Rye is attacked by a third in 

 U. occulta. No method of cure has yet been published for this pest ; 

 it is, however, desirable that only sound and good corms should be 

 planted, for if infected corms are placed in the ground it is one 

 certain means of propagating the disease. The bars shown across 

 the illustration of this disease are magnificent crystals, very common 

 in Gladiolus corms. 



Lilies, especially during late years, have been very subject to a 

 disease in early summer : the leaves get spotted and damp, and rot 

 off; the flower buds speedily follow, and leave the bare stalk. The 

 Rev. M. J. Berkeley, who has studied this disease, and whose illus- 

 tration we have copied from the Gardeners' Chronicle, says the dis- 

 ease of Lilies is caused by a fungus closely allied to the fungus of 

 the Potato disease, and named Ovularia elliptica. The spores are 

 large, and produce zoospores, or spores with hair-like tails (cilia),, 

 capable of swimming about in water or upon moist places. This pest 

 attacks a large number of species of Lilium, both before and after 

 flowering. Hyacinthus candicans and some Tulips suffer from a very 

 similar, if not the same, organism. This fungus has been described 

 as a true Peronospora. Bulbs are subject to many fungus growth^ 

 as Volutella hyacinthorum, Didymium Sowerbei, &c. ; many fungi 

 follow the decay of the bulb, others undoubtedly produce or greatly 

 accelerate decay. No remedy is known, but we advise the purchase 

 of the soundest and best bulbs. Good drainage and sufficient air 

 are indispensable. All infected foliage and stems should be 

 burned. 



Disease of Hollyhocks and Malvaceous Plants. In some 

 parts of England the cultivation of the Hollyhock had at one time 

 quite ceased owing to the attacks of a microscopic fungus named 

 Puccinia malvacearum. In gardens and nurseries, where formerly 

 Hollyhocks were one of the chief ornaments of the place, it was no 

 longer possible to grow a single plant. The disease is not confined 



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