220 



GARDENERS' 



Chrysanth 



Leaf Rust 



~ • v* .v,of thp fcnmi*. or rust as it is called, which has lately affected 



There u Dodoo bt that tteteg?f^ % ^ troubles whic h beset plantlife that 



mWS^SSSt w mSBZl the part of growers to prevent its spreading 

 mil neeu cm innuiry that the disease was far more widely distributed 



OT iJ«SS3 it did not seem to create general uneasiness m the minds of 



^T?ose who are unfortunate enough to find it amongst their plants, however, 

 need not be unduly alarmed, for a rapid and vigorous growing P»«^ kc ™ 

 chrysanthemum should be easily cleared of a parasite such as this. The most 



to bear in mind is that the reproductive powers of the fungus are 

 very zreat, as the spores are produced m immense numbers and rapidly dis- 

 tributed. The spores, when seen under the microscope and magnified some 450 

 diameters have the appearance of brown seeds, similar in shape to stock seeds. 

 So far as I have observed they do not grow on the stems or upper surface of the 

 leaves, but invariably on the under side. _ 

 1 * Though we may have a remedy m the " Bordeaux mixture, or sulphide of 

 potassium or other fungicides, that will destroy the spores, it is evident that we 

 cannot destroy the growth in the leaf itself, hence the best remedy is to pay every 

 attention to the plants to induce a hardy growth and to remove each leaf that 

 shows signs of the rust, if possible, before the spores become distributed else- 

 where. All affected portions should be handled as gently as possible so as not to 

 disturb and scatter the spores, and they should be burned. If a collection is care- 

 fully examined regularly and all traces removed in this way, there should be no 

 difficulty in stamping it out, but if the fungus is left about the plants it will in all 

 probability prove destruction. m 



It is commonly reported that the pest was introduced into this country from 

 America on the variety Niveus ; if so, it is curious that we have not seen or heard 

 more about it before, as Niveus was sent over in 1893, and has been grown in every 

 collection, and very extensively too, yet we do not become familiar with the disease 



till 1897-98. , f 



We first noticed it in these gardens last Novemrer on plants of v iscountess 



Hambledon and Souvenir de Petite Amie ; every plant was carefully looked over, 



but little more was found, and this on some bush-grown plants of Golden Gem. 



Though every particle which we could discover was carefully burned, we have 



found here and there a spot on the young stock this spring, but I have little fear 



of being able to eradicate the pest by the repressive measures alluded to. The 



varieties most susceptible to the attacks of the fungus will doubtless be those which 



make the most fleshy and succulent leaf growth, or especially those which are 



unduly fed with manures ; so that my usual caution to inexperienced growers 



against the too free use of manure in the early stages of growth needs special 



emphasis this year in view of the probable attacks of the fungus. 



Through the kindness of Mr. J. W. Odell, of Stanmore, who has sent me 

 specimens mounted as microscopic slides, I have been able to examine both the 

 chrysanthemum rust-— Uredo Chrysanthemi — and the rust which infests carnations 

 — Uredo carophyllus. Growers of carnations will probably be familiar with this 

 latter, and the two are possibly identical, for the only difference apparent under 

 the microscope is that those spores taken from the carnation are slightly paler in 

 colour ; no difference can be discerned with the naked eye. 



It will l>e interesting to prove this, and Mr. Odell tells me that he has infected 

 the two species with both forms of rust in order to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion. 

 Should they prove to be identical, then the blame of origin may be removed from 

 Niveus, as the rust was well known amongst carnation growers prior to the intro- 

 duction of this well-known chrysanthemum. 



It will bean advantage to know also what is the probable length of time for which 

 a spore will exist on the soil or any place which is unsuitable to its germination. 

 It is possible that experiments may prove the value of fortifying the plants, by 

 means of certain solutions in wateiing the roots, against the invasion of the spores, 

 and I am sure our editor will kindly find space for the communication of any means 

 which is likely to prove satisfactory in stamping out this fungus. 



I have several letters from growers who say that they do not anticipate any 

 serious difficulty in dealing with it, and my object in writing is not to alarm those 

 interested, but rather to put them on guard against the possible increase of the 

 fungi unobserved. 



Trent Park Gardens. 



W 



Coming Events. 



Ancient Society of York Florists : First show, April 13 ; second, May 



18 ; third, June 29 ; fourth, August 3 ; fifth, September 7 ; Chrysanthemum 

 Show, November 16, 17, 18. 



Ascot Chrysanthemum Show, altered to November 2 and 3. 

 Bridgewater Horticultural Society, August 4. 

 ISrixton and Streatham Chrysanthemum Society, November 2 and 

 Bute Horticultural Society, at Rochesay, August 24 and 25. 

 Crudwell Horticultural Society, August 25. 

 Cuckfield Summer Show, August 17. 

 Droitwich Horticultural Society, August jr. 

 Faversham Chrysanthemum Association, November 16 and 17. 

 Grandpont and South Oxford Show, August 18. 

 1 1 eaton Mersey Floral Society, August 13. 

 Ladywell and Lewisham Cottagers' Show, August 10 and n. 

 Lewes Chrysanthemum Society, November 16 and 17. 

 Lee and Blackheath Summer Show, July 6 and 7. 

 Lechlade Horticultural Society, August 4. 

 Leigh and Bransford Horticultural Society, July 28. 

 Northampton Chrysanthemum Show, November 9 and 10. 

 Newport Pagnell Horticultural Society, August 3. iwiiiMB 

 Newbury Horticultural Society, Jubilee Show, August 

 Pembroke Dock Horticultural Society, August 17. 



IRESCOT AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, July 21. 



Reading Horticultural Society, July 14. 



Royal Botanic Society of Manchester: Whitsuntide Show, « *, «, 

 J une 2 ; Rose Show, July 9 ; Amateurs and Cottagers' Show, September 3 ; 

 Chrysanthemum Show, November iz and 16. 



Sevenoaks Summer Show, August 10 

 ?iS«^. D r AN Horticu «ural Society, August 11. 



Wai™^ SHOW ' November 16 and 17. 



Wp x L r^. EYBR y?° K Chr vsanthemum Show, November 10. 

 and 2 ENGLAND Chwsanthemum Show, at Plymouth, 



1. 



to 



Editorial commi 



Magazine 



Editor of the Gardens* 



Editor will be giaa to receive photographs of g 

 fruits, &c. for reproduction in the Gardeners' 



Specimens of plants, flowers, and fruits for naming or opinion should h. > 



the Editor of the Gardeners' Magazine, " Endsleigh » Priorv p a ,vr to 



Surrey, and as early - — ' *» S rnory Park ' 



prepaid 



ifficientiy 



Secretaries of horticultural societies are invited to send early notification of forth 

 coming exhibitions and meetings, and are requested to advise us concerning 

 change of dates. «nnng 



Potato* for Exhibition.— T. O. H., Aberystwyth : Articles on this subject 

 appeared in our issues of March 5 and March 12. 1 



Hardy Camellias.— S. C. G., Farnham : A goodly number of camellias 

 are hardy in the south of England and Ireland, but unless well sheltered from 

 cutting winds they do not expand their flowers properly. The variety to which ra 

 allude is probably Camellia Beali, with crimson flowers. This flowers freely out 

 of doors in the south of Devon, Cornwall, and the Isle of Wight, and continoa 

 in bloom for about three months. 



Exhibiting Primulas and Auriculas.— C. S. H., I ly the : The priz» 



offered by the National Auricula and Primula Society at the exhibition to be held 

 at the Drill Hall on April 26 can only be competed for by members of that society, 

 or Fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society. If you make yourself eligible for 

 entering such competitions, the secretary of either society will furnish you with 

 full particulars. The R.H.S. secretary is to be found at 117, Victoria Street, 

 S. W. Mr. T. E. Henwood, hon. secretary of the National Auricula and Primuk 

 Society, resides at Auricula Villa, Hamilton Road, Reading. 



Violets in Frame?. — S. W., Portslade : We do not find that the dami|e 

 was due to fungoid attack in the first instance, but rather that some error of 

 cultivation rendered the tissues so tender that they were laid open to fungoid 

 attack. We have found the best results arrived at by lifting the young violets 

 when well rooted and the crowns plump and firm, and planting them in the 

 frames where they are to remain and flower during winter. Raise the bed and 

 frames, as this allows of better drainage, and violets detest stagnant moisture, 

 especially during the dull season. 



Tomatos in Frames. — T. F., Salisbury : There is no difficulty in groihf 

 tomatos in frames provided the frame is in a sunny position, and that the plant* 

 are strong and sturdy. Do not plant too early, otherwise there may be a difficulty 

 in keeping out frost should such occur. Plant firmly, and towards the front of 

 the frame ; then place a board or boards so as to form a slope from front to t*c s 

 and face the south. On this the plants may rest and be secured loosely, and in 

 such a position they will have the full benefit of sun. Air must be given care, 

 fully until the weather becomes settled, after which the lights may be icmovea 

 for a greater part of the day. 



Artificial Fertiliser for Fruit Plantations on Light Soil*- 



J. L., Oundle: Muriate of potash and superphosphate will prove tne mm 

 serviceable manures in combination at the rate of one and a half hundred* t.^ 

 of the former and one hundredweight of the later per acre, or even larger quann» 

 if the soil is very poor. One hundredweight of nitrate of soda per acre wiu 

 the trees if they have not been making good growth of late ; it serves to sumuu* 

 growth, and also by keeping the soil moist it enables fruit trees to ™"*rZ 

 of very dry weather. Of course, if the soil is very light nothing is better tori 

 than a heavy dressing of rotten farmyard or stable manure both to enricn inc 



iboo, 



and keep it moist. 



Polygonum cuspidatum 



nor has it any affinity to bamboos 



that 



specimen 



Flowers are produced in 



grown 



i of droopiH 

 scarlet fruits. 



panicles each four to six inches long. The flowers are succeeded by 

 A good dictionary of plant names is Johnson's Gardener s Dlc £ on W 

 by Messrs. G. Bell and Co., Covent Garden ; price 9s. net. «o ^ 

 the names of all plants. . 1 t u lt «* 



Carrot Fly._E. G., Ashford : If possible select 



then make all firm and level. Sow IB the usual way, auu 

 as possible ; after thinning give the crop a good watering, unless ; 

 showery, so as to stop all holes whereby the Carrot fly can ^ou. . 

 roots and so deposit its eggs. Encourage the crop by hoeing, , w* ^ 

 items that make for good cultivation. Mix a quart ot ^ a top ^re*< 



It 



tnin sowing acts as a preventive, because tne sccuw.b ----- 

 the ground as when thickly sown, neither is the ground so 



uch 



not thai rv* 



loosened »t » 



time of thinning. Watering with soot-water acts as a P 1 ^" h ^ ^ propflfl 

 stimulant to the carrots. The great points— after J^^^ and w enco urage tree 

 prepared— are to keep the ground firm 



growth. ,„ „ n dertake to 



Specimen-' s»"» 



damp 



material to er- 



their reaching us in a fresh state, . * It is essential that the _ 



specimens of flowering plants, that fern fronds be icrme, _ lmm fn - " 

 legible and firmly 



cannot 



Wilts Horticultural Society, August 10. 



November I than six specimens at one time from any one conesponaenu ^ 



D. P., Wickham : i, Gaultheria procumbens ; 2, 

 fraga oppositifolia. 



