THE FLORAL MAGAZINE. 



briata, showing the Continental strains. Some of the 

 striped flowers were very fine in quality, and there were 

 among them one or two of the purple-coloured type 

 possessing an unusual brilliance of colour. If Mr. 

 Barron succeeds in getting something better from these, 

 as there is every reason to believe he will, it will be of 

 great decorative value. 



THE ORIGIN OF THE HOLLYHOCK FUNGUS, 

 AND HOW TO DESTROY IT. 



Under this heading the Gardeners Chronicle supplies 

 the following important information : — " This destruc- 

 tive fungus, which has wrought great havoc some seasons 

 amongst Hollyhocks in this country, appears to become 

 general and more unmanageable in Germany than it has 

 hitherto been here. Professor De Barry contributes an 

 article to the Dutsche Gdrtner-Zeituncj, in which he 

 describes the mode of reproduction of this pest, the 

 history of its appearance in European gardens, together 

 with some remarks on the means of destroying it, or 

 discouraging its growth. With regard to the origin of 

 the Mallow fungus, De Barry says it is uncertain whether 

 it was first introduced into Europe from Chili, or vice 

 versa, but there appears to be no doubt that it spread 

 from Spain into the south of France in 1873. The only 

 means of destroying it is to burn the plants affected, 

 but De Barry thinks sulphur may prevent or check it 

 from spreading. As a matter of fact, a solution of soft 

 soap and sulphur is very effective. With regard to the 

 development of the Mallow fungus, the learned author 

 states that moisture favours it, which we should have 

 thought most probable, and consequently he recom- 

 mends that Hollyhocks should be kept as dry as pos- 

 sible, consistent with their good culture. Now, in our 

 best text-books of practical gardening it is stated that 

 ' During times of drought it is particularly destructive, 

 and therefore plenty of moisture at the roots, and a 

 vigorous growth should be maintained/ " According to 

 the practical authority just quoted, the disease, as the 

 fungus is termed, was particularly rife in this country in 

 1873 and 1874j "but during the summer of 1875, 

 probably owing to the presence of moist weather, it was 

 not nearly so destructive.'" 



Mr. William Chater, the veteran Hollyhock cultivator, 

 of Saffron Walden, has of late years adopted the practice 

 of growing Hollyhocks in the open air in trenches, so 

 that the plants could have their roots thoroughly satu- 

 rated with water during summer; Mr. Chater believing 

 that moisture and coolness are mitigating agencies in re- 

 lation to the fungus. He has entirely given up, during 

 the last few years, the sale of plants from cuttings, on 

 account of the fungus so persistently attacking plants 

 reared in heat. Mr. Chater holds to the opinion that 

 the more the Hollyhock is treated as a hardy plant the 

 less disease there will be; and the plants of named 

 varieties he is now selling are drawn from the open ground 

 where they have been growing during the winter. Our 

 own experience teaches that the ravages of the fungus 



have been much more thorough and destructive during a 

 dry than during a wet summer. How great a havoc the 

 fungus has played among Hollyhocks is shown from the 

 fact that seed of a reliable strain has reached an almost 

 unprecedented price in the seed lists. 



THE PYRACANTHA AS A WINTER PLANT. 



This evergreen Thorn (Crataegus pyracantha) is a 

 most valuable decorative plant at this season of the year. 

 When in Kent, a few days ago, we saw a plant growing 

 against a cottage wall, and a few of the leading shoots 

 had been allowed to run up, and were trained as upright 

 cordons. These were laden with its bright-coloured 

 berries to a degree that was really remarkable; they 

 were in dense clusters, almost hiding any trace of leaves. 

 The blossoms of the Pyracantha have a sweet smell, 

 something resembling new hay; and with its shining 

 evergreen leaves and clusters of berries, together with 

 its docility under training, although properly a shrub, 

 it is well' adapted for any vacant space of wall, and is 

 especially suitable for covering a portion of the wall of a 

 house, and unquestionably ranks high as a decorative 

 agent in the winter garden. It is a plant that is useful 

 almost all the year round, as the berries of the preceding 

 season have scarcely disappeared before its fragrant 

 branches of white flowers present themselves to the eye. 

 There are many ways in which this useful plant can be 

 employed, and it will do in almost any soil. 



BOOK RECEIVED. 



Diagnoses Plantarum Novarum vel Minus Cogni- 

 tarum Mesicanarum et Centrali-Americanarum. By 

 W. B. Hemsley, The Herbarum, Kew. 



We have to thank Mr. Hemsley lor this publication, 

 which will doubtless prove of value to many for reference 

 purposes. 



AURICULAS IN FEBRUARY. 

 In the first spell of mild weather which follows on the 

 present long spell of frost, the plants will require to be 

 so treated as to assist in getting them into active growth. 

 Top-dressing is of prime importance in leading to this 

 result. About an inch in depth of the old compost 

 should be removed, taking care not to break any of the 

 young roots near the surface ; and filling up with 

 dressing made of sweetened old cow-dung reduced to a 

 powder, and some sweet leaf mould. Any plants infected 

 with green-fly should be well fumigated, and the leaves 

 cleansed from any larvae which might have been deposited 

 on them. By doing this the plants will get a good 

 start for the season. The plants will be helped by 

 having the outsides of the pots, and the stages on which 

 they are placed, thoroughly cleansed. If the weather 

 continues mild, plenty of air should be given, as this not 

 only secures a sturdy growth, but it also tends to clean- 

 liness in the plants. Polyanthuses in pots should be 

 similarly top-dressed to give them a good start also. 

 Cleanliness and good health are of the first importance in 

 the case of Polyanthuses, as well as Auriculas. 



