December 8, 1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
497 
Another sad pest of the Apple tree is a rusty looking fungus, which 
generally occurs towards the end of August. This, when it once com¬ 
mences, seldom ceases whilst a green leaf is left on the tree, which ulti¬ 
mately appears as though it had been scorched. I am not aware that 
any remedial measure is known. It is rather a matter which, beyond 
doubt, may be in the main prevented, and to which course I will shortly 
refer. 
Another serious pest of the Apple is the red spider, especially on hot 
•or gravelly soils. And here it may be observed that since sulphur is 
known to be destructive of the fungi in general, also to the red spider, 
and as these two enemies generally commence operations about the same 
time, and not unfrequently act in concert, it is well to remember that 
much may be done by the timely application of sulphur. 
Here I would remark on the vast influence exercised by certain soils 
•as a predisposing cause to insects. I am well assured that all soils which 
bave a tendency to become very dry, or very wet, for a long while, 
predispose the Apple to the attacks of insects. How this happens I am 
■not prepared to aver; but suppose that under such circumstances a 
torpid or sluggish root-action occurs, and, of course, the system of the 
tree possesses sap of a less watery character. Thus, a newly planted 
tree, of a good size, is almost sure to be liable to the attacks of insects 
■or fungi the first summer ; and so with over-severe root-pruning. This 
all points to the propriety of examining well the state of the soil before 
planting a tree or an orchard, and taking m»ans to correct the extreme 
tendencies to dryness or sourness through a too retentive character. 
But in very sandy and dry soils the water-pot will prove of eminent 
service to the Apple if used in time. It is of no use merely sprinkling ; 
nothing less than a thorough penetration of the whole mass of soil 
which contains the roots will suffice. And if a thick coat of moist mulch 
of any kind can be applied, the success will be proportionately complete, 
the mulch being laid 4 inches in thickness. This should be performed 
the moment the insects or fungi appear, providing the weather is dry ; 
otherwise the evil must be sought in other quarters. When these evils 
are suspected to arise from a soil or subsoil highly retentive of moisture, 
nothing short of drainage can be expected to cure the evil; and this, 
probably accompanied by transplanting. Indeed, in all cases of 
amelioration by means of draining, where trees are standing, it is well 
to take them carefully up and to replant them, although they may have 
been planted half a dozen years. Where soils have been soured by 
stagnant moisture they seldom gain a healthful condition without being 
broken up. 
Thus much for soils as affecting the mishaps that occur through 
insects or fungi; let us now s e what remains as to this question. 
Whether Apple trees have been attacked or not in the previous summer, 
it is well, in my opinion, to give them an annual dressing of some kind. 
Our great orchardists, our men of acres, will, of course, say it is impos¬ 
sible ; but we of the garden must not allow ourselves to be hedged in by 
their rough and off-hand plans. It is rather for us to lead them than 
the reverse, and it is sometimes expedient to do that in a few poles of 
land, that would ceass to be so in as many acres. Besides, we have a 
more delicate and very superior class of fruits to deal with than they 
have, and it is probable that our superior dessert Apples would, as 
dwarfs, make no great show in a cider district with cider Apple manage¬ 
ment. 
We all know that brushing in compositions is tedious work, especi¬ 
ally since labour has become so much more valuable ; but there is no 
need for it as to a general dressing. If I may suggest annual dressings 
by means of the syringe, and supposing it requisite to meet as many of 
the enemies of the Apple as could be in one mixture, it should be com¬ 
posed nearly thus : —softsoap, 4 ounces to the gallon of tepid water ; 
add four handfuls of sulphur to each gallon ; then add 1 gallon of stable 
liquid, and thicken the whole finally to the consistence of a thin paint 
by the addition of clay water, made by v orking up clay in tepid water 
and straining it through a coarse cloth ; a few handfuls of lime may be 
added. With such a liquid I would have the trees syringed twice ; once 
in November, when the foliage is nearly all cast, and a second time in 
the beginning of March, after the trees are pruned. This, I think, will 
prove of eminent service, and will destroy the coccus, or scaly insect, 
as well, which I had forgotten to name in its proper place, and which 
is occasionally a great injury to Apple trees.—R. E. N. 
SCHUBERTIA GRANDIFLORA. 
On September 13th this year, A. C. Bartholomew, Esq., Park 
House, Reading, exhibited a specimen of this plant at South Kensing¬ 
ton, when the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society 
awarded a first-class certificate for it, las, though it is not a new 
plant, is seldom seen in cultivation. It is a member of the Asclepias 
family, and a native of the Argentine Republic, whence it was intro¬ 
duced in 1837. The stems are long, slender, and twining, bearing the 
opposite leaves in pairs, elliptical in form, about 6 inches long by 3 
broad. The flowers are borne in axillary umbels of seven or eight, 
the pedicels covered with brownish hairs ; the corolla five-lobed, 3 inches 
in diameter, white, with a few scattered hairs, and possessing a power¬ 
ful odour, most agreeable at a short distance. 
This and the allied species, S. graveolens, with yellowish flowers, 
require a stove temperature and a compost of one-third light turfy 
loam, with two-thirds of peat and a little sand. Plenty of water is 
needed while they are growing, with occasional syringing, and atten¬ 
tion to keeping them clear of insects, especially mealy bug. They 
can be propagated by cuttings of the young side shoots inserted in 
very sandy soil in strong bottom heat. 
TOBACCO CULTIVATION IN ENGLAND. 
A CONFEEENCE of English Tobacco growers was held recently at 
the Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, under the piesidency 
of Sir E. Birkbeck, M.P. Among those present were — Mr. Kains- 
Jackson, Mr. Faunce de Laune, Mr. Sharman (Carter & Co.), Mr. C. C. 
Knight (Farnham), Mr. Wigan (Kent), Mr. John Graves (Boston), Mr. 
Kerr (Dumfries), Mr. Moore (Chelmsford), and the Rev. Wyndham 
Madden (Kent). Sp eimens of English-grown Tobacco, as well as 
cigars and cigarettes manufactured from Tobacco grown in different 
parts of the United Kingdom, were exhibited in the room. After a 
short discussion, 
The Chairman said that they all must be agreed that they had to 
contend against many obstacles, difficulties, and novelties. With regard 
to the present season they had a very dry summer, followed by a cold 
and damp September, besides which, he was sorry to say, they had 
encountered many difficulties with the Inland Revenue authorities, 
though he was bound to add, as regarded his own district, that the 
Inland Revenue had rendered him every possible assistance. Among 
the growers there was more than ever a spirit of determination to per¬ 
severe with Tobacco culture in England, and they were convinced that 
they would ultimately be able to master all the difficulties they had had 
to contend with. He believed that in the future Tobacco culture in 
England could be made as successful as it was 200 years ago, when it 
was prohibited by Act of Parliament. As regarded his own crop he 
would simply say that he had grown four sorts during the year—viz., 
