December 3,1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
473 
amateur section or gardener section, and an amateur can show in the 
gardeners’ classes, and a single-handed gardener can show in the 
gardeners’ classes. If, however, the single-handed gardeners are afraid 
of the amateurs and cottagers, surely they ought to be placed below 
the cottagers. Mr. Shea showed in the open class at the Aquarium 
Show, but I did not see the name of his gardener on the card. I have 
for years past shown in the single-handed gardeners’ classes at Putney 
with the permission of the Committee, and not without success. 
The whole question of competitors wants revision. No gardener who 
sells cuttings, other than seedlings of his own raising, ought to be 
allowed to show except in the classes set apart for nurserymen, and no 
one ought to be called an amateur if he employs any help of any kind, 
size, or shape in his garden. 
No one would object to the exhibitors being allowed to show only 
in their respective classes, but if a cottager or an amateur is not allowed 
to show in the single-handed classes or the gardeners’ classes, neither 
should the single-handed gardeners be allowed to show in the gardeners’ 
classes, or the gardeners in the nurserymen classes.— Dr. Geo. Walker, 
alias The Wimbledon Amateur. 
Confusion at Exhibitions. 
On visiting the Bristol Chrysanthemum Show I was surprised to see 
such a confusion in the arrangement of the exhibits. There did not seem 
to be a fixed place arranged for any of the classes. The Committee did 
not seem to have calculated beforehand what space certain exhibits 
would take ; therefore when the exhibitors came to stage their fruit or 
flowers, as the case may be, no one seemed to know the proper place for 
them. First one thing had to be shifted, then another, to make room for 
the exhibits, causing waste of valuable time ; whereas if the number of 
exhibitors had been ascertained in each class, there would have been little 
difficulty in finding space for the whole of the exhibits. Some little 
time ago I had occasion to visit one of the National Chrysanthemum 
Society’s exhibitions at the Royal Aquarium, and it was quite pleasing 
to see how well the arrangements were carried out by the Secretary, Mr. 
R. Dean. Places were assigned for each class, shown by a lagge card, and 
the direction in which the exhibits were to be staged, to the right or left, 
was indicated. Not the slightest confusion occurred, and the staging 
went as smooth as clockwork.— Exhibitor. 
New Chrysanthemums—Florence Davis and Yiviand Morel. 
I think the past season will bear very favourably with any previous 
ones for thoroughly good new varieties that have been staged at the 
different exhibitions, especially in the Japanese classes, and I should 
like to say a word in praise of two which have proved everything that 
could be desired with me, and grand acquisitions in every way. 
Florence Davis was strongly recommended to me last season by that 
good grower and judge, Mr. N. Davis of Camberwell, and I must say all 
he then said in its favour fell short of its great beauty and general 
merits. I have watched the reports of all the shows, but only in one or 
two places have I seen it mentioned. Such a grand variety should not 
be kept in the dark, and I strongly recommend all growers who have not 
already secured it to do so at once. From four plants I secured twelve 
exhibition blooms, which speaks well for its freedom—in fact, it is as 
free as Avalanche in producing grand blooms. I staged two of these at 
Birmingham, where it took “ the eye ” at once, and was duly noted 
down by all who “know what they are about.” (I should like to 
mention here in your report of this Show you call it in one place Fanny 
Davis, which might be taken for F. A. Davis—Jeanne Delaux). The 
habit is good, growing about 4 feet high. The blooms before expanding 
are of a light green, which develop into pure white, with long drooping 
florets, the tips of each slightly curled, which gives it a very pleasing 
appearance. I should say it is a late variety, and as the flowers are very 
large (8 inches broad and 10 deep) and slow in opening it should be 
housed early rather than hurry it with fire heat. 
I do not think it necessary to say so much about Yiviand Morel, as 
this has been shown well and frequently, and also referred to in the 
Journal, only that I can bear out all the good things that have been said 
in its praise, and intend growing plenty of it next year, at the expense 
of some of its taller neighbours. One or two others I hope to refer to 
later on.— Richard Parker, Impney. 
Dwarf Exhibition Japanese Chrysanthemums. 
I AM surprised that so excellent an authority as Mr. R. Owen should 
give a list of dwarf exhibition Japanese Chrysanthemums and not 
include such varieties as the following :—Mrs. Falconer Jameson, 
Viviand Morel (a great acquisition), Condor, George Daniels, Gloire de 
Rocher, W. W. Coles, E. Molvneux, and M. Bernard; not to mention 
less notable varieties seldom seen in exhibition stands. I am pleased to 
say several firms have varieties (new) on trial intended to add to this 
list. One (not yet named) only 2 feet high, sent me by Messrs. Clibran 
of Altrincham promises to be an addition to the limited number of excel¬ 
lent late varieties.—W. J. Murphy, Clonmel. 
Charles Gibson. 
I herewith enclose a bloom of Charles Gibson showing hairy 
florets. There were two blooms on the plant, but very few of the florets 
were bristled on the other bloom. I have grown three plants of Charles 
Gibson this year, and the blooms have been quite smooth on two of 
them. Has this been experienced with other Chrysanthemum growers ? 
—Subscriber. 
FUNGOID DISEASES. 
Through the courtesy of the Editor of this Journal I have had the 
opportunity of perusing “ The Journal of Mycology,” published by the 
United States of America Department of Agriculture, vol. vii., No. 1, 
1891, edited by the Chief of the Division of Vegetable Pathology, Mr. 
B. T. Galloway, and assistants. Among other interesting and valuable 
matter appertaining to fungoid diseases, the “ Journal of Mycology ” 
contains description of experiments in combating, and hints for the 
avoidance of Sweet Potato black rot (Ceratocystis fimbriata, Ell. and 
Hals.'), by Dr. B. D. Halsted and Mr. D. G. Fairchild, with plates, 
showing the “ rot ” on the tubers, and the life history of the fungus. 
This may concern growers in this country but limitedly, still 
the results obtained have an important bearing on fungoid diseases 
generally, and are instructive and useful in treating similar pests. The 
results of the experiments or cultures are found to be:—1, Mycelium 
present in the diseased roots planted infects the young shoots. 2, Infec¬ 
tion may take place either through the medium of spores, or by the 
growth of mycelium from the diseased areas themselves. 3, Diseased 
sprouts planted in the field produce diseased roots, which may spread 
the disease to other hills, either through the soil directly, or by means 
of the numerous fibrils from other plants. 4, These infected areas, 
although perhaps inconspicuous at first, grow steadily in diameter, not 
being checked by digging, and when the Potatoes are stored for keep¬ 
ing continue to grow in the root, and at the same time to produce the 
various forms of spores. 5, These reproductive bodies, when supplied 
with sufficient moisture, are capable of infesting, unaided, sound Potatoes 
through their eyes. 6, Thus one diseased Potato when stored in a bin 
of healthy ones is capable of infecting all those in the bin, and causing 
them to rot in a short time. 
Those are valuable data, and it is further shown that it is not un¬ 
likely that the parasite may inhabit different stab’e manures, and that 
a passage through the digestive canal would not kill the spores. In the 
way of preventives it is recommended:—1, To plant only perfectly 
healthy seed. This is most essential, as diseased seed will give diseased 
sprouts, which in turn will grow a crop of worthless Potatoes. 2, Use 
copper fungicides, keeping the shoots green with it till pulled. 3, Fields 
impregnated with disease should be added to the regular rotation, that 
is, not kept under the same crop year after year, thus allowing the in¬ 
fective material to burn itself out. 4, Decaying roots, and the refuse 
after digging should be carefully removed from the field and burned, as 
such ddbris adds to the food of the parasite. 5, La'ge quantities of 
farmyard manure probably favour the development of the trouble, since 
it greatly adds to the decaying vegetable matter of the soil. Where the 
use of commercial fertilisers can be made to take the place of manures 
it w T ill certainly be desirable to make the change. 6, It is probable that 
the spread of the disea-e in the bin may be checked by dipping the 
roots in one of the copper mixtures, preferably the ammoniacal solution, 
before storing for the winter. What effect tobacco smoke or the fumes 
of sulphur would have in checking the disease in the bins remains to be 
ascertained. 
The foregoing particulars are taken from the “ Journal of Mycology,” 
and, though having special application to Sweet Potato (Batatas edulis), 
they are appropriate to tuberous esculents liable to fungoid disease, and 
should be borne in mind by growers of Potatoes. 
Then follows a very important paper by the Elitor, Mr. B. T. 
Galloway, entitled “ Experiments in the Treatment of Plant Diseases.” 
The first treats of Grape diseases, and contains results of experiments 
conducted at Greenville, South Carolina; Vineland, New Jersey ; and 
Neosho, Missouri, the work having special reference to “ black rot, 
which is everywhere recognised as being the most destructive of all 
Grape maladies.” The investigations were conducted with a view to 
ascertain the value of fungicides, which cannot fail to interest readers of 
the Journal of Horticulture, therefore we extract the following :— 
“I.—A comparison of the fungicides given below as regards cost, 
efficiency, and effectson the healthy foliage and fruit. 
“ (a). Bordeaux mixture, prepared in accordance with the usual 
formula— i.e., copper sulphate 6 lbs., lime 4 lbs., and water 22 gallons. 
(&.). Bordeaux mixture, prepared the same as a, then allowed to 
settle, after this has taken place drawing off the clear liquid and 
drying the Eediment, the latter being simply mixed with water when 
used. The object in usiDg this preparation was to determine if possible 
whether the Bordeaux mixture prepared in advance was as effective as 
that made in the usual way. The question has considerable practical 
importance, as there is an increasing demand for a mixture ready for 
use. This demand is mostly from small growers who do not care 
to go to the trouble of buying the copper and lime and making their own 
mixture. 
“ (c). Modified eau celeste, containing copper sulphate 4 lbs., aqua 
ammonia 3 pints, carbonate of soda 5 lbs. 
“ (<f). Copper carbonate in suspension, 3 ozs. to 22 gallons. This 
being a much cheaper preparation than the ammoniacal copper carbonate 
solution, it was thought best to give it a thorough trial. 
“ (e) Simple milk of lime, made by dissolving 3 lbs. of lime in 25 
gallons of water. 
“ (/) Copper acetate, 2 lbs. to 22 gallons. 
“ (y) Mixture No. 5, consisting of equal parts of ammoniated copper 
sulphate and ammonia carbonate. Used at the rate of 1 lb. to 25 gallons 
of water. Mixture No. 5 is practically eau celeste in dry concentrated 
form. * 
“ (7t) Ammoniacal copper carbonate solution, 3 ozs. copper carbonate 
dissolved in 1 quart of ammonia, and diluted with 22 gallons of water. 
