FLOWER GARDEN TRIALS AND TROUBLES 65 



Flowering Plants for Heavy Soil 



Q. My garden soil is clayey and very wet in winter. Many plants 

 do not thrive. Can you give me a list of suitable sorts ? J. A. ., 

 Southall. 



A. It is more than probable that the real fault of your garden 

 lies in its being badly drained. One row or two rows of drainpipes 

 placed about 2 feet below the surface, with a gradual fall to a 

 proper outlet, would almost certainly improve the nature of your 

 garden soil. There are certain flowering plants which thrive fairly 

 well in a soil such as yours. Thus in addition to Irises and 

 Montbretias, both of which flourish in your garden, you might 

 try Sunflowers, Heleniums, Delphiniums, Trollius, Michaelmas 

 Daisies, Hollyhocks, Lupins, and Aconite. There are several 

 ornamental and flowering shrubs that would also give a good account 

 of themselves ; for instance, Wistaria, Clematis, and Lonicera for 

 pergolas and arches, Lilac, Laburnum, and Flowering Currant in 

 the shrubbery. The application of quicklime when the ground is 

 vacant tends to lighten a soil ; fresh or green manure from the 

 farmyard should bs avoided, as it increases the tenacity of a heavy 

 clay. Long strawy mmure, however, helps to lighten and aerate 

 the soil by means of the small channels made by the long straw. 



A Common Disease of Aster 



Q. Please tell me what is the matter with the enclosed Asters. 

 I shall probably lose all I have through this disease. #. A. T., 

 Stockport. 



A. The plants are affected by the disease popularly known as 

 blackleg, the roots dying and the rootstem turning brown and then 

 black, and this extending to parts above ground. The plants become 

 stunted, cease growing, and die. This has been attributed to various 

 causes, such as attack by a white worm, called the Aster worm 

 (Enchytraeus parvulus), but there is no evidence of this pest in 

 your examples. The disease is of a fungoid nature and a close ally 

 of the sleeping disease of Tomatoes and other plants. Resting 

 spores remain dormant for a season, then germinate, forming a 

 mycelium capable of attacking the rootlets of Asters. By this 

 mycelium only can the plants be attacked, all attempts to inoculate 

 above ground portions of the plant being futile. It is suggested to 

 dress the ground with quicklime at the rate of ^ Ib. per square 

 yard, slaking and mixing well with the soil, sprinkling on the 

 turned up surface 2 oz. of -kainit, leaving for the rain to wash 



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