INSECT PESTS AM) DISEASES. 1 03 



begin to show life after rooting. Generally it is said that 

 over-feeding" is the cause of the fungus, but this is entirely 

 erroneous, because 1 have seen the worst cases of any 

 many miles apart, and where they have been growing out 

 of doors undivided for years, and no " fed " plants near 

 them. 



Another and more feasible explanation as to the origin 

 of fungus is that it is communicated by air-borne spores 

 which germinate on the leaf in an analogous manner to 

 a seed growing in the soil. It is therefore necessary to 

 apply preventive measures in the earliest stages, before 

 visible signs of disease appear, by spraying with some solu- 

 tion which will destroy these spores. When spraying see 

 that all parts, especially the under surface of the leaves, 

 are well wetted; a spray which stands in globules on the 

 leaves and will not spread is of little use. Remember that 

 thousands of spores, etc., may adhere to adjacent wood- 

 work, and this may with advantage be sprayed with 

 stronger solutions. 



Remedy lor Fungus. 



The fungus is a disease against which chrysanthemum 

 growers have to battle, and as I have had to fight and 

 have vanquished the enemy I recommend with consider- 

 able confidence the following methods of dealing with it : 



Spray every cutting or plant once a fortnight from the 

 day the cuttings are inserted or the old plants cut down 

 with about a wineglassful of paraffin mixed with one 

 gallon of water, using an Abol syringe with a spray nozzle. 

 If the solution can be kept thoroughly mixed double the 

 strength may be employed. Then from July ist 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 of paraffin 

 should then be added, and the mixture allowed to simmer 

 for a minute or so, care being taken to prevent it from 

 boiling over. The dressing should be allowed to stand till 

 it gets clear, and may 'be kept in bottles. A quarter of a 



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