520 



Diseased Lilacs. 



The spreading mycelium can be checked by the application 

 of carbolic acid, and when its presence is once detected, all 

 wood-work that can be reached should be thoroughly saturated 

 with the same substance. 



The specific name of lacrymans, or " weeping," alludes to the 

 power of the fungus to attract moisture from the atmosphere. 

 Under certain conditions moisture is absorbed to such an extent 

 that it hangs in drops, or even drips from the surface of the 

 fungus. This moisture assists very materially in rotting the 

 timber, which afterwards becomes quite dry and friable. Hence 

 the popular name " dry rot," which alludes to the last, and most 

 frequently observed, stage of decay. 



Diseased Lilacs. 



Specimens of diseased lilac branches which were forwarded 

 to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, last summer, were found 

 to have been injured by a fungus, Botrytis cinerea, Pers. This 

 generally first shows itself in the fork of a branch, and thence 

 extends so that the branches often present a rusted and girdled 

 appearance. The portion above the wound usually dies in the 

 second season after the attack. 



The leaves of the lilacs had also been scorched by frost. 

 Such injury is not as a rule of a serious nature ; but last season, 

 owing to the excess of rain, some of the injured leaves were 

 attacked by the Botrytis, and the fungus in some instances ran 

 down the injured leaf, attacking the stem. 



Where lilac branches are injured by this fungus, they should 

 be cut away below the wound and burned at once. Where the 

 wound is only slight, and confined to only one side of the 

 branch, painting the diseased portion with fir tree oil might 

 prove beneficial. 



By using smudge fires during the night, when late frosts are 

 expected, lilacs would be secured from harm. Damp sawdust, 

 into which a small quantity of gas-tar is stirred, is cheap and 

 effective. The fires should be made on the windward side of 

 the trees, and about 200 yards apart. 



