VHAPTEK XI. 



DISEASES 



Rust is not so prevalent in this country as in England from the fact 

 our atmosphere is dryer. It makes itself apparent with the approach of 

 cool nights and is generally augmented by excessive moisture. 



H. J. Jones, Levvisham, England, describes this fungus in the follow- 

 ing comprehensive manner. "It appears the fungus originates in the tis- 

 sue of the leaf, and is mostly confined to the under side, although there are 

 many instances in which pustules appear on the upper surface of the leaf. 

 A pustule, simply described, is a little pimple which bursts, exposing a 

 dark brown dust, at maturity. This brown dust is none other than liber- 

 ated spores which drop out of the pustule, and fall on, or come into con- 

 tact with the chrysanthemum foliage, and when this is in a moist con- 

 dition it quickly grows and very speedidly develops a germ tube which very 

 soon finds its way into the tissue of the leaf, and after a time repeats itself. 



"There are many remedies given, such as bordeaux mixture, and am- 

 monical solution, as well as other prepared compounds. These, doubtless, 

 are more or less effective, but we can hardly expect a permanent cure from 

 their use unless we maintain conditions that are unfavorable to the devel- 

 opment of new spores." 



A few years ago the carnation rust which grows and reproduces it- 

 self in the same manner, and as far as we know is identical, caused great 

 anxiety among carnationists, who feared its prevalence would gain such a 

 .foothold as to be ruinous. Experience has taught them to remove the 

 cause or conditions under which it develops rapidly. To this end they 

 house the plants early, spray only on bright mornings and maintain a dry 

 and buoyant atmosphere as far as possible. 



If chrysanthemum growers will take the same precautions there is 

 little fear of the disease becoming wide-spread, or doing great damage. 

 Over-crowding the plants so that the foliage does dry oft' quickly, indis- 

 criminate spraying, particularly when applied late in the day in the au- 

 tumn months, and lack of air should be strongly guarded against. 



In aggravated cases it would be well to try the following remedy, 

 given by W. Wells, Redhill, England, in his new work just issued, "The 

 Culture of the Chrysanthemum/' 



"Spray every cutting or plant once a fortnight from the day the 

 cuttings are inserted or the old plants are cut down with about a wineglass 

 full of paraffine (kerosene) mixed with one gallon of water, using an Abol 

 syringe with the spray nozzle. If the solution can be kept thoroughly 

 mixed, double the strength may be employed. Then from July 1st spray 

 the under part of the foliage with a dressing composed of the following 

 ingredients: half-pound each of sulphur, soft soap, soot, and lime. The 

 lot should be boiled for half an hour in one gallon of water: a half pint 



