CHAPTER XI 

 FUNGOUS DISEASES 



AS stated previously, the pests and diseases of the Rose are 

 not so formidable or so dangerous if the proper reme- 

 dies or preventives are applied in time. It is when neglect has 

 allowed the disease or insect to gain the upper hand that serious 

 results follow. Healthy plants are seldom a prey to disease 

 or insects, but the surest way to invite failure is through a weak, 

 unhealthy plant. The old saying, " Prevention is better than 

 cure," is as true here as in any other case. Disease and death 

 do not come to the Rose plant in a day unless some gross 

 breach of fundamental law has been committed. A fungus 

 spore may fall on a leaf today, germinate and pass into the in- 

 terior of the leaf, where it commences to form a spawn that 

 thrives on the materials which the plant needs for its own use. 



This process of growth varies somewhat with different kinds 

 of fungi, but generally takes from one to two weeks after in- 

 fection before the leaf shows any signs of the parasite. When 

 the spawn reaches a certain stage, it shows itself by different 

 colored patches on the surface of the leaf, generally brown or 

 yellow. Later, the fruit of the fungus bursts through to the 

 surface, and it is at this time that it is very infectious. Every 

 person who has seen mildew in this stage knows that it is almost 

 impossible to check its ravages. A few spots showing in a house 

 today will, if unchecked, in a few days or a week, result in an 

 epidemic which will soon ruin the whole crop. It should be 

 remembered that mildew is ever present, and only waiting for a 

 favorable opportunity to develop, and spread itself. The reason 

 it is so troublesome at times is because of neglect in fighting it 



