104 



THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



flower heads of crimson, yellow or white, and Xeranthcinuin 

 is another genus with heads of a similar shape and color. The 

 coxcombs (Celosia) frequently used for decorative planting in 

 parks and gardens, may also be used in winter bouquets, and 

 the far-famed edelweiss (Lcontopodon) belongs to the same 

 general class. The latter plant is to all intents and purposes 

 a cud-weed and can be grown in gardens as easily as its rela- 

 tives. For winter bouquets, the flowers should be gathered 

 shortly after they first open and hung up in small bunches, 

 heads down, until dry. ]\Iany of them keep their natural col- 

 ors for years. 



New Clematis Disease. — The Government has found 

 out what it is that causes the death of the cultivated clematis. 

 When properly grown the large-flowered species, such as that 

 known to the trade as Clematis Jackinani, form very attractive 

 specimens, but they are not as widely used as they might be 

 because of their reputation for failing to survive severe win- 

 ters. This reputed lack of hardiness now appears to be charge- 

 able, not to the cold, but to a fungus pest which terminates 

 their existence. This has been named Ascochyta clematidina. 

 The fungus is supposed to infest all the cultivated species of 

 clematis, but the large-flowered kinds seem most susceptible. 

 A spray consisting of six pounds of sulphur, a pound of laun- 

 dry soap and fifteen gallons of water is recommended for the 

 control of the pest. Removing the dead growth early in spring 

 and giving the plants plenty of sun and air serve in large meas- 

 ure to prevent the spread of the trouble. 



Ants in the Flow^er Garden. — Not infrequently we 

 hear someone inquiring how to rid their plants of the ants that 

 infest them. This is probably most frequently asked in connec- 

 tion with the peonies which every year are likely to be swarm- 

 ing with large black ants as soon as the flower buds begin to 

 show. It is often inferred that the ants eat the plants but this 

 is a mistake. Their presence is accounted for by the fact that 



