*faQe 25, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
505 
sulphate of copper, and it is dissolved to strike and kill the spores 
of the Cladosporium, and soia ti harden the tissues ; whilst the 
ntnmonia and sulphur energises the diseased parts. We'l may he 
think that modified E vu Celeste gives the best result, inasmuch as 
in his experiments he has sxved from 50 to 75 per cent, of fruit 
'that otherwise would have been scabby.” 
'^Vhat our American friends recommend is ;—“ Firit, in the 
early spring, before the leaves appear, spray with a simple solution 
of sulphate of copper, made by dksolving 1 lb. of sulphate of 
copper in twenty-fipe gallons of water. This is for destroying 
germs of the scab that may be lodged in the crevices of 
the bark.” 
“ Second, as soon as the petals have fallen, and it would be no 
longer safe to apply this strong solution, ammoniacal carbonate of 
copper may be applied. This is prepared as follows : 3 ozs. of 
precipitated carbonate of copper are dissolved in one quart of 
ammonia, strength 22° Biume. Dilute with 32 gallons of water.” 
This is a near approach to Mr. Galloway’s formula, and is far too 
strong for use in this coun*:ry. According to our expeiience 1 oz. 
carbonate of copper is ample for 20 gallons of water ; but it is 
eisy to ascertain by experiment on a few growths the safe strength 
at which the copper solution may be applied. This should always 
be done. 
“ Third, if the weather be moist and cool, and consequently, 
favourable to the development of the scab fungus, it would be 
well to repeat the application of the ammoniacal carbonate of 
topper once or twice during the summer months.” 
It only rema ns to add that, if the trees are not satisfactory in 
growth, a top-dressing in autumn or early spring of some approved 
fertiliser will do good, or the following may be u-'ed : 5 cwt. 
steamed bone-meal, 2 cwt. kainit, ^ cwt. sulphate of i'on, mixed, 
per acre. If growth is wanted add I5 cwt. sulphate of ammonia 
for clay or loamy s il, or 1^ cwt. nitrate of soda for light and 
calcareous soils, applying this in three instalments, namely, in 
March, iMay, and early June respectively.— G. Abbey. 
RECORD OF EARLY STRAWBERRIES. 
It may be interesting to the readers of the Journal to give the 
dates when the fir^t ripe Strawberries have been gathei-ed here 
from 1881 to 1891, the variety being Alice Maud planted in a 
12-acre field that is favourably situated, sloping gently to the south, 
and sheltered from the north and east by trees. They receive no 
artificial protection whatever. We gathered fruit as follows :— 
1881. — 2 lbs., June 11th. 
1882. —14 lbs.. June 5th. 
1883. —10 lbs., June 16tb. 
1884— 1 lb., June 12th. 
1885.— 2 lbs., June 5th. 
188G.— 5 lbs., June 19th. 
1887.—30 lbs , June 20th. 
1888— 5 lbs., June 23rd. 
1889. —24 lbs., June 14tb. 
1890. —12 lbs., June 14th. 
1891. —12 lbs., June 22nd. 
It will be observed that 1882 was the earliest and 1888 the latest 
.season. The market price has fallen about 40 per cent., as on June 
lltb, 1881, I have entered Is. per lb., and to-day, 22nd June, they 
are 2s. Gd, Of course this is wholesale price and for best dessert 
fruit. 
I may remark here that the frost on Whit-Sunday morning did 
miore damage than ever had been done since I commenced growing 
Strawberries. It has taken all the best fruit—in fact, thinned them 
in the rudest possible manner. 
With regard to the best variety tor early use for market, such 
kinds as Black Prince and King of the Earlies are useless, being too 
small. I planted an acre in March, 1890, half with Margueii^e and 
half with Alice Maud, with one row of Noble down the centre, 
140 yards long, to divide the two other kinds ; thus I have an ea«y 
task of observing which is the earliest to ripen. I find Noble and 
Alice Maud a dead heat, with Marguerite three days later. The 
fruits of Noble are larger than Alice Maud, but less in number ; 
but this is not a season for condemning or praising Strawberries, as 
they have not had a fair chance. As far as this field is concerned 
my old friend. Marguerite, is not yet outdone by Noble. Every 
grower ought to try Noble, as it is early and handsome to look at. 
I have no doubt that when grown by hundreds of acres it will con¬ 
siderably reduce the price of early Strawberries.—T. Sharpe, 
Virginia Water. 
CELMISIA SPECTABILIS. 
Much interest was excited by the plants of this dwarf little Compo¬ 
site exhibited by Messrs. J. Veitch & Sons of Chelsea at the meeting of 
'the Koyal Horticultural Society on June 9th at Westminster. Novelties 
-uf a really distinct character are becoming very scarce amongst miscel¬ 
laneous plants, and this renders them all the more valuable when they 
do appear, and that is one reason why the Celmisia attracted so much 
notice. Apart from this, however, the plant evidently possesses sufficient 
merits to make its way in popular favour. At the meeting in question 
an experienced and retired market grower remirked that “such a 
plant as the Celmisia would a few years ago have reabsei a small 
fortune for market culture in pots.” 
It is strange that the genus Celmisia is almost ignore! in gardening 
and botanical dictionaries. For instance, the name is not found in the 
“ Treasury of Botany,” Paxton’s, Johnson’s, or Nicholson’s dictionaries, 
or in several other scientific or popular works. The characters of the 
genus were, however, given in De Candolle’s “ Prodromus ” in 183fi, 
and a place was a«signed for it in the family Composite between 
Tussilago and Brachyglcttis. Only two species are describe!—name’y, 
FIG. 95.— CELMISIA SPECTABILIS. 
longifolia and spathulata, both natives of New Holland, and of which 
the describe!’ had only seen dried specimens. In Hooker’s “ Flora of 
New Zealand,” however, ten species with several varitt es are described, 
and some are figured. Those described include tolosericea, verbascifolia, 
coriacea, Mackaui, spectabilis, gracilenta, incaii”, hieraciifolia (or 
hieracioides), and glandulcsa. 
Celmisia spectabilis is the only species which has yet been shown at 
the Eoyal Horticultural Society’s meetings and secured a first-class 
certificate, but it will no doubt be followed by some others, though it is 
not likely to be surpassed in its pr'ncipal chaiacters. The specimens 
shown were about 6 inches high, with narrow lanceolate leaves, white 
and woolly on the under surface. The flower heads are 2 inches 
in diameter, with closely set, narrow, pure white ray flore's and a 
golden disk. Being very compact, it is well adapted for culture in 
pots in a cool house, or it may be found useful out of doors when more 
plentiful. 
