344 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



attacts the bulbs while growing in the field and is com* 

 mon not only in Bermuda, but in Holland, France 

 and Japan. 



The disease is dae to the weakening of the plants by 

 the attacks of various mites, fungi and bacteria, and its 

 appearance is also undoubtedly induced, and the extent of 

 the injury increased, by improper selection and propa- 

 gation, as well as by the cutting of the flowers, and the 

 harvesting of the bulbs before they are matured. In the 

 greenhouse, the effect of the disease is increased and per- 

 haps caused by the attack of aphides and mites upon the 

 leaves and flowers, while the syriiiging of the plants, so 

 that water will remain between the young leaves at night 

 may have its effect. From the above, which is the result 

 of the investigations of the Department of Agriculture, 

 it is evident that the condition of the bulbs at the time 

 they are imported will have much to do with the extent 

 to which they will be attacked while in the hands of the 

 florist. Stunted and unripe bulbs should be avoided, 

 and if they show the characteristic spots due to the work 

 of the fungi and mites, they should be discarded. 

 Before the bulbs are potted, they should be disinfected 

 by dipping them into a solution of copper sulphate (one 

 to one thousand) or of liver of sulphur (one to two hun- 

 dred and fifty), and tho mites and aphides should be 

 destroyed by using strong tobacco- water or some other 

 efficient insecticide. 



In order that a close, firm texture may be secured, 

 the chief reliance should be upon chemical manures, 

 rather than animal manures, rich in nitrogen. Careful 

 attention should be paid to the destruction of mites and 

 aphides, and if any of the plants show signs of the dis- 

 ease, they should be isolated or at once destroyed, if the 

 attack is a severe one. As will be seen from the above, 

 the remedies are preventives rather than cures, and the 

 most important thing is to secure strong, healthy bulbs. 



