Carnation Diseases 225 



the uredospores and teliospores, both of which forms 

 greatly resemble each other. The iEcia are found 

 on Euphorbia gerardiana in Europe and is recog- 

 nized as Mcidium euphorhie-gerardiane Fisch. The 

 rust fungus attacks not only the carnation, but sev- 

 eral other species of the pink family. 



Control. Some florists advocate the use of an 

 aqueous solution of common table salt. This is to 

 be applied as a fine spray. Investigations by F. C. 

 Stewart* have shown that salt solutions can neither 

 prevent rust infection nor stimulate growth. Neither 

 is it helpful to apply salt to the soil. Carnations 

 are propagated chiefly by cuttings. The latter often 

 carry the disease. It is, therefore, imperative that 

 cuttings be taken from healthy plants. Maintain- 

 ing the proper temperature and ventilation, as well 

 as exercising care and judgment in watering, will 

 help to keep this rust in check. Subirrigation is 

 preferred to overhead irrigation to keep the plants 

 dry. Progressive growers use an inverted V-shaped 

 wire netting (one-inch mesh) placed between the 

 rows. The wire is cut into strips of fifteen inches 

 width. These are bent and inverted, about six inches 

 high and eight inches wide, and placed between the 

 rows of plants. This support to the foliage pre- 

 vents it from touching the wet ground and admits 

 at the same time perfect ventilation. It also makes 

 it possible to water the soil without wetting the 

 plants. The trouble may, of course, be avoided to 



'Stewart, P. C, New York (Geneya) Agr. Expt. Sta^ i6tli 

 Ann. Rept.: 423-425, 1895. 



