October 19, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
861 
at work, which converts the ammonia into nitrate of lime and potash, 
and the result is that instead of the crop, say Potatoes, being all top, 
there are abundance of tubers. The fact is we have checked or 
destroyed the malignant organisms, and brought into activity the 
useful. That is the way to come at facts, and it is only by so doing 
that we are able to give a satisfactory account of our practice. 
Bacterium Halstedi is a malignant micro-organism. Its business 
is to live and perpetuate its species. It requires plants—Tomatoes, 
Cucumbers, Melons, Vegetable Marrows, and perhaps Potatoes to 
live upon, and in no instance has it been found upon native plants. 
This by no means points to the necessity of its being introduced, for 
it may after all prove to be a native of this country, just the same as 
Oidium Tuckeri has been proved to be our very common Erisyphe 
communis, and the Potato fungus traced to Solanum Dulcamara. The 
worst part of the matter is that Bacterium Halstedi thrives under the 
same conditions as the useful bacteria do potentially in behoof of 
the cultivator ; but in the present state of our knowledge of these 
micro-organisms it is hardly possible to arrive at any satisfactory 
deduction, nevertheless the malignant forms are certainly as food- 
requiring as the useful, and it may safely be conceded that they are 
incapable of manufacturing that upon which they subsist, for all life 
is dependant upon that of another, or all life is parasitic, each and 
all doing its best to maintain place in the “ struggle for existence.” 
“ Hygienist ” attributes fungal diseases to wet and bacterial 
attacks to drought, and from a hygienic standpoint considers all to 
be due to some predisposing causes. Hygienists are all very well 
upon general grounds, but when anything special or particular occurs 
no one thinks of appealing to them, but wisely seeks aid from duly 
qualified specialists, and we may take it for granted that every culti¬ 
vator of Tomatoes knows what suits his cultures. If we raise a 
number of plants from seed there is a difference in the individuals, 
both as regards health and fruitfulness, yet all are treated precisely 
alike. What is the predisposing cause ? Why is one strong and 
the other weak ? Predisposing cause forsooth ! heterodoxy, any and 
everything intangible, immaterial, may or may not exist, always 
subject of argument! But Bacterium Halstedi can be seen, examined, 
made sure of. It cannot be overlooked, it is past the region of 
hypothesis or metaphysical subtlety, is a substantial fact, which all 
may comprehend. If water will render it latent, for it can hardly 
kill a parasite living in liquid, all the better. 
What I, however, particularly desire at the present time is a few 
inches of the stem and a similar portion of the root part attached of 
a Tomato plant infested with eelworm. If it has growth springing 
from the collar all the better, and to satisfy my requirements the 
part sent must be alive, for I want to ascertain if the nostrum I wish 
to subject it to is as safe to use as it is sure to kill the eelworm. If 
the result is satisfactory, anyone may make sure of the recipe by 
expending Sjd. in the Journal of Horticulture in which it may 
appear.—G. Abbey. 
[Any specimens that may arrive at this office for Mr. Abbey will 
be forwarded to him.] _ 
In reply to “Hygienist” on page 325, I should not like to say 
hastily that the Tomato disease is absolutely controllable, but I am 
convinced it is favoured by too close planting, and too much 
moisture both at the roots and in the atmosphere. As preventives, 
experience leads me to recommend— 
1, Never plant closer than 2 feet between the rows, and 15 to 
18 inches in them. 
2, If disease appears pull oat the plant first attacked at once. 
3, Let a current of air pass right through the house, which will 
bring firm and short-jointed wood, so essential to good Tomato 
growing.—J. G. Bellinger, Harrogate. 
A LARGE HOLLY TREE. 
May I venture through your columns to describe a Holly tree 
which may be the largest in Great Britain, situated within ten paces of 
my house, which is 1040 feet above the sea ? 
I have in my possession a report which was made on it in January 
1836, and at that time the tree “measured in circumference above the 
roots thereof 27 feet G inches, and estimated to be 60 feet in height, and 
is very branchy, and the general opinion is that it is 400 years old.” 
The circumference of the tree now is 30 feet, and its height 43 feet, 
and has sixteen main branches, two measuring in circumference 11 feet 
7 inches, and 8 feet 2 inches. It covers a circle, the diameter of which 
is 54 feet, and its branches have numerous initials and dates cut on 
them, those which can be still deciphered ranging from 1700 to 1864. 
The most legible is that of J. Broughton, 22nd August, 1756, which is 
almost as clear as the day on which it was cut. Many of the branches 
are half eaten through with rot, and I have had all the sixteen supported 
by iron rods. The tree still shows great vitality, each year bringing 
forth numerous young shoots. It is rather curious that on the opposite 
side of the valley is another large Holly tree, which measures 17 feet 
Ginches in circumference.—GEO. W. Lloyd-Verney, Colonel, Clochfaen, 
Llanidloes, N. Wales. 
L.elia grandis tenebrosa. 
This is quite distinct from the type, and greatly superior to 
the latter. A plant I have in bloom now has flowers 6 inches 
across. The sepals and petals are wavy chestnut red, the lip is 
rose colour, elegantly fringed, and with darker lines leading to a 
blotch of dark rich purple in the throat, a really superb variety. 
Cattleya bicolor. 
Although this species is not so showy as some others, yet its 
distinct appearance should ensure it a place in every collection. 
The side lobes of the lip, which in most Caltleyas enfold the 
column, are entirely absent in C. bicolor, leaving the column 
exposed. The sepals and petals are brown ; the lip is crimson, in 
some types with a distinct white margin, in others the colour gets 
fainter towards the edge. The flowers are produced on upright 
peduncles, which bear from five to twelve blooms each. It is a 
Brazilian Orchid, and grows and flowers freely with ordinary care.— 
H. R. R. 
Orchids at Cliffe House, Hessle. 
Whilst paying a hurried visit to Hessle last week I was in¬ 
vited to see the collection of Orchids in which B. Whitaker, Esq., 
of Cliffe House, is so deeply interested. I found some exceedingly 
fine plants of the better species present. Mr. Jarvis first took me 
to where two fine specimens of Cattleya Dowiana aurea and Cat¬ 
tleya chrysotoxa were in full bloom. The blooms were in excel¬ 
lent condition, very fine and well constituted. Some good flowers 
of Laelia purpurata were in the same house. A spike of Oncidium 
crispum had sixty-four flower buds on it, looking remarkably fresh. 
Several other good plants were in bloom. The Cypripediums, I 
thought, were especially healthy, and included Curtisi, Morgania, 
grande, Alice, callosum and Chamberlainianum.—W. Clayton. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
October 10th. 
Scientific Committee. —Present: Mr. McLachlan (in the chair). 
Prof. Church, Dr. Muller, Mr. Blandford, Rev. W. Wilks, Dr. Bonavia, 
and Rev. G. Henslow, Hon. Sec. 
Peach Disease. —With reference to the diseased Peaches brought to 
the last meeting by Dr. Mliller, Mr. G. Massee of Kew reports as 
follows :—“ The Peach disease is caused by the fungus Gloeosporium 
fructigerum, Berh., or rather by G. lacticolor, Berh., w’hich is in reality 
only the former species modified by the host, as proved by cultures. 
In America, where the disease is too well known, and has also attacked 
Grapes during the last two or three years, it has been found that the 
fungus can be kept well under control by two or three sprayings of 
potassic sulphide (J oz. to a gallon of water) applied in June or July. 
Of course, it is too late to attempt spraying this year, but all diseased 
fruit should be removed and destroyed to prevent the diffusion of the 
spores.” Dr. Muller observed that he had seen the disease twice soon 
after the setting of the fruit. This appeared to be locally arrested in 
growth where the fungus occurred, the rest of the Peach growing 
normally. 
Pyrus japonica Fruiting. —Mr. Blandford exhibited specimens, and 
commented on the very large size to which the fruit had attained this 
year. They do not appear to be capable of being put to any use 
as yet. 
Oranges from Australia. —Dr. Bonavia communicated the follow¬ 
ing remarks on a curious phenomenon connected with Oranges 
“ On the 12th July, 1893, a box of Oranges was shipped to me by a 
friend in South Australia. It contained four varieties of the so-called 
‘ Portugal ’ Orange, viz., the ‘ Navel ’ Orange, a large and a small Blood 
Orange, and the Egg Orange. Bach Orange was wrapped in tissue 
paper, and the whole were packed tightly in hay. They reached me 
after having been about five weeks on the sea in very sound condition, 
with the exception of one which was spoilt. Probably this had been 
bruised before it was packed. 
“ On the voyage the Oranges sweated and the hay became damp, for 
when I opened the box a musty smell of damp hay pervaded the whole 
box ; and now comes an interesting point. 
“ I unpacked all the Oranges and freed them from paper and hay. 
They all had a musty smell. I washed some of them and dried them. 
Apparently the musty smell was completely removed from the outside ; 
but on cutting open the Oranges every one of them had not only a 
musty smell in the juice carpels, but also a peculiar musty flavour. 
“ It would appear that the mustiness of the damp hay penetrated 
through the peel and pervaded the whole interior of the Orange, giving 
a peculiar and unpleasant flavour to the juice. 
