856 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ May 1. 1890. 
prove this assertion. Xor does the occasional occurrence on plants 
that are normally adapted for cross-fertilisation, of flowers that 
specially and solely self-fertilised interfere with it in the slightest ; 
it is only an additional method, perhaps serving some purpose 
which we cannot perceive. In some of the Violas these cleisto- 
gamous flowers are found, and it is strange that they are invariably 
without the brightly coloured corollas that distinguish the ordinary 
flowers, and they are often unobserved until the seed pods are 
swelling. 
This most extraordinary disappearance of the floral attraction 
furnished by coloured corollas upon the same plant, where in other 
flowers they are still being displayed, brings us to a consideration 
of the most general adaptation to favour cross fertilisation—floral 
colour. A few years ago if the question had been put to a young 
amateur or professional horticulturist, •' Why have so many 
flowers brightly coloured corollas ?” the answer in nine cases out 
of ten would probably have been, “ For our benefit and pleasure.” 
But this rather selfish and na»’row view is only partially true. We 
do undoubtedly derive much pleasure from those brought into our 
gardens and our houses, or those wildlings which we see in our 
country rambles, but it can scarcely be claimed that the millions 
“ born to blush unseen” in tropical forests and unexplored lands 
afford us any pleasure. Our benefit, great though it be, is a 
secondary one ; the primary purpose has been indisputably proved 
to be far more intimately connected with the plant itself. 
The modern view, supported by the best authorities and by 
common observation, is that these richly coloured, strangely varied 
corollas, flaunting on the air, are simply attractions to insect 
visitors which unconsciously assist in cross-fertilisation by conveying 
the pollen to other flowers, thus contributing to a more certain 
production of fertile seeds, and in many cases to an increasing 
diversity of floral form and colouring. The odours of flowers, 
pleasant or otherwise, and the nectar, are simply means to the 
same end—namely, they serve to attract bees with other insects 
and gain an indirect advantage themselves. It has always seemed 
very pleasant to imagine that all the fragrant flowers existed alone 
for our delectation, but rather difficult to account for the fetid 
flowers. When, however, we understand that there are insects 
whose tastes evidently differ materially from ours, and which pro¬ 
bably derive as much satisfaction from a well developed Stapelia 
or some of the powerful Arums as we do from a Rose, it is very 
much better than having to regard such flowers as wasted because 
we are incapable of enjoying them. 
In the forms of flowers countless devices and adaptations are 
seen, obviously calculated to attract insects, to guide them, or in 
some way to make them the means of securing cross-fertilisation. 
This is usually more evident in the case of flowers with mono- 
petalous and irregular corollas than in those with the petals dis¬ 
tinct, but there are some exceptions to the rule. Still, if we look 
amongst the members of that large division of flowering plants, 
the Monopetalfe, which includes some of the most ornamental of 
our garden plants, we shall find abundant examples of floral forms 
especially adapted for insect fertilisation. Take, for instance, the 
Salvias, the Antirrhinums, or almost any of their numerous rela¬ 
tives, and the structure of the flowers at once suggests adaptation 
for some particular purpose, and a little observation will soon 
teach what that purpose is. Whenever flowers possess a remark¬ 
able form, a want of correspondence in the parts, an irregulaiity 
in any degree, it is worthy of special attention, for in most 
instances some curious adaptation will be discovered, and some 
particular insects are the favoured guests. 
Often in the families comprising the plants with “ two-lipped ’’ 
corollas as those just mentioned, there are lines and ma kings 
which seem to serve as guides to insect visitors, tending in the 
direction of the stamens or the pistil. It is very strange that 
even the disposition of the colouring should seem to be in accord¬ 
ance with a method, and to be directed to the accomplishment of 
a specific object. There are, indeed, “ more wonders in heaven 
and earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy,” and the more 
closely the vegetable kingdom is studied the more we become 
impressed with this idea. No better restorative to a healthy reason 
could be advised for the thoughtless, and those who treat in a 
frivolous manner with things far beyond their comprehension, than 
a course of study in the plant world.— Lewis C.vsti.e. 
(To be continued.) 
TOMATO DISEASE. 
.rrF”® article on the above which appeared on paoe 325 by 
‘ W. S.,” recalls vividly to my mind our battles with Cladisporium 
fulvum during the past three years. The year 1887 was, as all 
interested in growing fruits will remember, one of very hot sun¬ 
shine. For weeks not a drop of rain fell, and but little dew, even 
the trees in the open being attacked by red spider. In the 
Channel Islands Cladisporium fulvum made its first appearance 
during the latter part of May, and from that time onward spread 
rapidly until I doubt if there was a single Tomato plant unaffected 
by this most terrible disease by the end of June. Whether in 
forcing or cool houses, all suffered alike, the latter coming off second 
best. Having had some eight years’ experience at that time in 
growing Tomatoes for market, I was acquainted with a few reme¬ 
dies and antidotes for the then known diseases, but in common with 
most others, the fungus which followed the advent of the yellow 
spots threw all my efforts and experience of mildew quite out of 
the running. At that time no name had been found for this new 
form of disease, and, so far as I know, no remedy has yet been dis¬ 
covered that will destroy or check it effectually. As to the remedies- 
I tried they were various. In a small house, a span 60 feet by 
25 feet, heated with hot-water pipes on each side in the usual way^ 
the plants were the least affected, and as they were carrying a heavy 
crop I determined at any cost to either save them or make a vigorous 
attempt to do so. The first notion was that the plants were suf¬ 
fering from insufficient moisture and nourishment, and consequently 
root action had been checked. To remedy this, a dressing of a cele¬ 
brated plant manure was given, the whole of the loam lightly forked 
over, and a good soaking of clear rain water was applied. The- 
pipes were kept pretty hot all night, and a small amount of ventila¬ 
tion to let out moisture arising from the heavy watering. After 
a few days I found the disease worse than ever and spreading to the- 
young growths. Flowers of sulphur and air-slaked quicklime were 
then applied with the sulphur bellows to the under part of leaves. 
This, instead of checking, really appeared to assist the fungus to- 
spread more rapidly and completely, and at this juncture I must 
confess I was at my wit’s end. However, I decided to let them take 
their chance, allowing all lateral growths to push on without cheeky 
supplying a moderate amount of water to the roots, and constant- 
ventilation. The pipes were heavily coated with sulphur and kept 
hot, and the glass lightly shaded with a sprinkling of limewash on 
the west side. The result of this treatment was a partial recovery^ 
and eventually the plants set a late crop, which made up in some 
measures for the loss in midseason. In 1888, however, this remedy 
proved utterly useless, and all our plants were completely ruined< 
for the early crop, and the second plants fared but little better. 
Last year the disease was not so fatal, so that I am in hopes we- 
may soon see the end of it. 
With regard to clubbing at the roots, my experience has been 
that this takes place when plants have been too tenderly nursed in 
the first instance white in the small pots, and then being planted 
out in a border, the soil of which has not been warmed by starting 
the fire two or three days before planting the house. The same^ 
will take place if potted in sixes, unless the soil and surroundings- 
are previously warmed. I would advise “ W. S.” to procure Mr.. 
Wm. Iggulden’s last work on “The Tomato,” and he will thera 
find the matter he refers to exhaustively treated.— S-a.RNIAn. 
PlIAL.-ENOPSES. 
Large panicles of flowers certainly injure the plants if allowe<i 
to remain upon them until the whole fade. Where the well-being; 
of the plants is considered the flowers should be removed before 
they shrivel. It is a mistake to remove the flowering portion and 
then allow the spike to branch and flower again. Continuous 
flowering over some months results in decreased vigour of the 
plants, but we have found no harm result from moderate sized 
spikes remaining on the plants until they are past their best. 
Cool Treatment for Phal.enopses. 
Those who adopted a cool system of treatment for these plants- 
are struggling to recruit the remains of what were once fine 
healthy specimens. We have seen good collections rendered 
worthless by changing the treatment from a warm to a cool system. 
If Phalamopses are reduced to an unhealthy condition it is 
difficult to restore them again to health and luxuriance. When a 
[ lace is found where they do well it is unwise to remove them, 
for they are liable to deteriorate. During the flowering stage too 
