384 



THE (IC'ESTIO.y BOX. 



it with a white coating of the delicate, interwoven fungus 

 threads. At certain points short protuberances appear 

 on the fungus threads, which serve as suckers, taking 

 fast hold of the leaf surface somewhat as the suckers of 

 some climbing vines take hold of their support, but 

 with this difference in function, that they draw from the 

 host the nourishment required for the growth of the 

 fungus. 



The spores of the pea mildew are produced in deli- 

 cate sacs, which, in turn, are inclosed in dark-colored 

 spore cavities. The latter appear as black specks, just 

 visible to the eye, among the white threads of the fungus. 



The pea mildew must be even more destructive to its 

 host than the grape mildew. The latter grows chiefly 

 on the upper surface of the leaves, but also on the fruit- 

 stem and its branches. Besides being a more delicate 

 plant, the pea is more thoroughly infested, as the fungus 

 attacks leaves, leaf stalks, stems and pods. 



One would expect that a fungus growing altogether ex- 

 ternally, like the pea mildew and the downy grape mil- 

 dew, would be more susceptible to remedies applied than 

 one growing partly or wholly inside the host, as the downy 

 mildew and black rot of the grape do ; yet even the latter 

 are found to be susceptible to treatment. It is prob- 

 ably on account of the greater difficulty, that the latter 

 have been more fully experimented upon. No record is 

 found of experiments upon pea mildew, but remedies 

 for powdery mildew of the grape should be equally 

 effective upon the pea. The remedies recommended by 

 the Department of Agriculture* contain sulphur, either 

 in powder or in solution. The following recipes are 

 given; (i) Take one peck of lime, not slaked, and one 

 pound of sulphur ; put them in a barrel and pour hot 

 water over them sufficient to slake the lime ; pour on this 

 three gallons of soft water, and stir the mixture well 

 In twenty-four hours it will have settled and become 

 perfectly clear. This should be drawn off as clear as 

 possible. Half a pint of this mixture added to three 

 gallons of water will be sufficiently strong. (2) Boil 

 three pounds each of the flowers of sulphur and lime 

 in six gallons of water until reduced to two gallons. 

 When settled, pour off the liquid and bottle it for use. 

 One pint of this clear solution in twelve gallons of 

 water is the strength recommended for use. The flow- 

 ers of sulphur are recommended as equally good, and 

 less expensive for material and labor. It has been suc- 

 cessfully used for powdery mildew of the bean in Ber- 

 muda. 



Remedies should be applied as early as possible after 

 the appearance of the mildew, and at a time of day 

 when no moisture is present on the vines. A warm 

 bright day is best. The application should be repeated 

 as often as occasion requires. — A. B. Seymour. 



5. Hardy Vines. — Will you name a list of good hardy 

 vines for arbors and porches ? — W. F. Clay. 



There is no doubt but that the handsomest of all 

 hardy climbers are the varieties of the clematis. They 



*Scribner, Rept. on Fungous Diseases of the Grape Vine, 1886, 

 p. 26. 



need rather careful handling, and a slight protection for 

 the first two years, but after that they will grow and 

 bloom finely. Of course the Clematis Jackmanni is the 

 best known and deservedly popular, blooming as it does, 

 so constantly from July until stopped by the frost. The 

 dark, but bright, purple flowers are from four to six 

 inches in diameter. The variety Miss Bateman is mag- 

 nificent, with large creamy white flowers, which are 

 borne in May and June. Mrs. Geo. Jackman is a satiny 

 white, and this variety often flowers on the young wood, 

 its blooming season extending from June until October. 

 Lucie Lemoine has double, white flowers. Clematis 

 crispa bears small, well-shaped flowers of a light laven- 

 der blue on white ground, and this also flowers abun- 

 dantly from early summer until frost. C. coccinea, or 

 coral clematis, is a gem indeed, growing so rapidly, 

 flowering profusely, the flowers being coral-lilac in hue, 

 and of such an odd form. There are many other excel- 

 lent varieties of this favorite and grand climber, but I 

 have mentioned the creine de la creme. 



Hardy shrubs and vines of large size should be 

 planted when dormant, early in the spring or late in the 

 fall. The smaller plants should be planted at any time 

 after the weather becomes suitable in the spring. 



Honeysuckles are among the prettiest and sweetest of 

 the real house vines. They bloom continuously, the foli- 

 age is pretty and clean, and their fragrance is simply deli- 

 cious. There are quite a number of varieties. Halliana 

 is one of the newer varieties, having been recently 

 brought from Japan ; it is a vigorous growing, evergreen 

 sort, blooming constantly from June to November. The 

 flowers are white, changing to yellow, and with a very 

 sweet odor. Lonicera fuchsioides is our old favorite, the 

 coral honeysuckle. L. H. Belgica blooms all summer 

 and has red and yellow flowers ; very sweet. L. 

 brachypoda — this is a lovely variety, a ready twiner, and 

 it flowers in June and July. The blossoms are yellow. 

 L. aurea reticulata, or Golden-leaved Japan, has foliage 

 netted and veined with yellow ; a lovely and distinct va- 

 riety, with yellow fragrant flowers ; planted with other 

 varieties of honeysuckles, it makes a striking contrast. 



Wistaria sinensis, or Chinese wistaria, is a very hardy 

 and vigorous grower. The flowers are borne in long 

 drooping grape-like clusters of a pale violet blue, very 

 handsome. A most profuse bloomer in the spring, 

 often giving a second crop of flowers in the fall ; very 

 sweet-scented. It likes a sunny location, and the soil 

 should be enriched with plenty of well-rotted manure. 

 Wistaria sine7tsis, alba, is like the above, but the flowers 

 are white. Magnifica differs from the above in darker 

 blue flowers, very beautiful. Wistaria frutescens blooms 

 earlier than the others, and has violet purple clusters of 

 bloom. 



Periploca Grccca, or Virginia silk vine, is a very 

 strong grower, growing very tall. The foliage is long, 

 narrow, shining. The flowers are of a purplish brown. 



Actinidia polygama is a vigorous and handsome 

 climber. It has white flowers, with a purple center. — 

 Greta Beverly, N. Y. 



