828 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Of other Onion diseases we may name a Smut which has evidently 

 escaped from North America and reached as far as France ( Urocystis 

 Copula). It is similar in character to the Urocystis on the leaves of 

 Colchicum, or rather perhaps on the bulbs of Gladiolus. The glomerules 

 of spores (18-20 \x diam.) do not include many central fertile spores. It 

 is recorded on Allium Parr um and A. Cepa. 



Asparagus Rust. 

 Puccinia Asparagi (DC), PI. VIII. fig. 137. 



This rust has been increasing to an alarming extent in North America, 

 and every effort is being made to cope with it. The cluster cups are so 

 rare with us that no one seems to have seen them. 



The uredospores appear on the flowering stems in cinnamon-brown 

 pustules, for a long time covered by the epidermis. They are either 

 globose or elliptical (20-50 x 17-25 p), delicately spinulose, pale brown. 



The teleutospores occur in oblong or elongated pustules of a very 

 dark brown colour. They are elliptical or clavate, long club-shaped, 

 rounded above and below, divided across the centre into two cells 

 (35-52 x 17-26 /j), smooth, chestnut-brown, with a rather long persistent 

 pedicel. 



In America it is the Uredo stage which causes the most mischief. It 

 has been most experienced in dry sandy soils, while the beds on moist 

 soils do not appear to have been injured. 



The results from spraying were not encouraging. The best means 

 suggested for controlling the rust is by thorough cultivation in order to 

 secure vigorous plants, and in very dry seasons plants growing on very 

 dry soil, with little water-retaining properties, should receive irrigation. 



Sacc. Syll. vii. 2147 ; Cooke, M. F. 196 ; Cooke, Hdbh No. 1467 ; 

 Journ. B.H.S. 1901, xxvi. p. 501 ; Plowr. Br. Ured. 144. 



Asparagus Copperweb. 



Bhizoctonia Crocorum. 



We have already referred to this disease, in its manifestations towards 

 Crocus Bulbs (see "Pests of the Flower Garden "), hence repetition is un- 

 necessary here. 



MUSHROOM PARASITES. 



This will, perhaps, be the most convenient place in which to refer to 

 the diseases to which the cultivated Mushroom is liable. 

 Gard. Chron. Sept. 9, 1893, p. 299. 



Mushroom Tuft Mould. 



Gliocladium cujaricinum (C. & M.). 



The mysterious ailments of Mushrooms under cultivation are often 

 the occasion of considerable annoyance, with little prospect of relief. 



