13.2 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
August 9, 1894. 
The first indications of the disease to casual observers are brown 
spots on the upper surfaces of the leaves. These are caused by the 
action of the spores of the fungus which have penetrated the under 
surfaces of the leaves, and set up unhealthy action throughout the leaf 
structure. On these under surfaces, congeries, or groups, of white silky 
threads have been formed, from which spores are rapidly generated and 
distributed by the wind, or other agencies, to infect other Potato plants. 
It is therefore most important to prevent, if possible, the spores from 
germinating. If this cannot be done, steps should be taken to arrest 
their progress, to prevent them from forming vegetative centres from 
which countless quantities of spores may be generated, as well as the 
root-like hyphae which, by permeating the leaf tissues, and stalks, cause 
premature decay, and finally descend to the tubers, making them 
unsound. 
Means of Prevention and Remedies. 
A review of numerous experiments carried out during the last few 
years in Great Britain and Ireland, and in many foreign countries, 
makes it clear that the treatment of the plants with compositions of 
sulphate of copper and lime has been employed preventively with 
satisfactory results in most cases in seasons*of disease; but the treat¬ 
ment has not an unbroken record of success, and in a few instances the 
application of these compositions to Potato plants has even appeared 
to have an injurious effect upon the yield. 
On the whole, however, there is ample evidence to prove that Potato 
plants dressed with sulphate of copper compositions offer much more 
resistance to the attacks of the Potato disease fungus than plants not so 
treated. It has also been demonstrated that when Potato plants have 
been attacked by this fungus the treatment with sulphate of copper 
compositions has proved remedial in a considerable degree, and has in 
many instances arrested the progress of the disease. 
M. Girard—the greatest authority upon this subject—observes that 
it is most imprudent to wait until disease has appeared before the 
sulphate of copper compositions are applied, because the fungus spreads 
with such rapidity in favourable circumstances that the cultivators 
have not time to organise and carry out defensive measures. Treatment 
should be adopted as a means of prevention, even if there may not be 
actual disease. In short, treatment is insurance against disease ; but it 
must be remembered that the results, both preventive and remedial, 
depend in a very great degree upon the time and manner of application, 
as well as the nature, preparation, and distribution of the compositions. 
Compositions. 
The most commonly adopted composition consists of 20 lbs. of 
sulphate of copper, 10 lbs. of lime, 100 gallons of water. This has been 
found strong enough for all purposes, and does not injure the foliage 
if it is properly and evenly distributed, and not applied to very young 
plants. 
A weaker composition is sometimes used, made of 15 lbs. of sulphate 
of copper, 7 J lbs. of lime, 100 gallons of water. This is preferred by 
some experimenters, especially for Potato plants whose leaves are young 
and tender. In experiments in Ireland last year, it was found that this 
composition was not so effective for treating Champion Potatoes whose 
leafage is coarse, as that made with 2 per cent, of sulphate of copper. 
Another composition is advocated by M. Girard, consisting of 20 lbs, of 
copper, 20 lbs, of lime, 20 lbs. of molasses, 100 gallons of water. The 
superior advantages of this composition have not been seen in this 
country, but in wet seasons the molasses would probably make the 
sulphate of copper adhere better to the leaves. 
Preparation op the Compositions. 
The sulphate of copper should be pure. Ordinary commercial 
sulphate of copper contains a large per-centage of sulphate of iron, 
which diminishes the action of the sulphate of copper and makes the 
composition of a dirty green colour. 
The lime must be of the best quality, well burnt, and unslaked. 
The sulphate of copper, roughly pounded, should be dissolved in cold 
water in a wooden or copper vessel. A good plan is to put it in a 
coarse canvas or sacking bag, and let this hang over the side of the 
vessel in the water. 
The lime must be slaked with cold water in a separate vessel, and 
the mixture, when cold, poured into the vessel containing the sulphate 
of copper, and passed through a fine sieve to keep back grit and other 
particles. The whole should then be well stiired, A bright blue liquid 
is the result if properly made. 
The tubs, pails, and other vessels in which sulphate of copper com¬ 
positions, which are poisonous, have been put must not be used for 
feeding animals. 
Distribution, 
On small areas, distribution may be effected by knapsack machines 
holding about 3 gallons. There are several kinds of these obtainable 
at moderate prices. A man can spray from one-third to half an acre 
per day with a machine of this kind. 
Upon large acreages of Potatoes a horse machine would be required. 
With this from 8 to 12 acres can be sprayed per day. 
The quantity of dressing applied usually varies between 110 and 
150 gallons per acre. 
Care must be observed to ensure regular distribution by means of 
fine spray nozzles attached to the machines, which can be easily 
adjusted in different directions to cover evenly the upper and under 
surfaces of the leaves. Though opinion is sharply divided as to the 
necessity of spraying the under surfaces of the leaves, it is certain that 
the disease is first generated there, and it would seem to be even more 
important to apply preventive measures to the under surface of the 
foliage than to the upper surface. 
Distribution will be materially assisted by strainers fitted into the 
machines, and by keeping the compositions constantly stirred. 
If the dressing has been regularly and properly distributed, the 
leaves above and below should when dry be covered with bright blue 
spots. 
It may be necessary to spray the plants again if heavy rains should 
fall and wash off the dressing. 
If the disease still spreads after the treatment, it will be desirable 
to repeat the spraying. 
Cost of Treatment. 
It has been stated that the cost of treatment usually varies from 
83 . fid. to lls. per acre for each application of the 2 per cent, of 
sulphate of copper composition. The composition with the molasses 
costs from 10s. fid. to 13s. per acre.—(Board of Agriculture.) 
NOTES ON HARDY PLANTS. 
It has always been my endeavour to grow choice selections of hardy 
flowers rather than collections. Were I to go into the latter my small 
garden would soon be crowded with one particular kind of flower, the 
glory of which would soon be over, while there would be nothing to 
take its place. Roses, however, occupy a considerable space, but even 
here it is more a selection of the best kinds, and I have but little room 
for what are now ordinarily called garden Roses, and it is vain for me 
to attempt those combinations of colour and foliage which are often¬ 
times so charming, but must be by me looked upon in other people’s 
gardens rather than my own. It is the same with regard to hardy 
plants, under which term I include not only what are called herbaceous 
plants but bulbs, and with the aid of my rockery I am able to keep up 
a succession of interesting plants nearly throughout the year. 
Verbascum olympicum. 
In looking round I see many plants which, although not rare, may 
yet be regarded as desirable even for small gardens. At the end of my 
Rose garden in the sheltered spot, which seems to have particularly 
suited it, there is a grand plant of Verbascum olympicum. It has resembled 
a golden candelabrum, the centre stem being about 11 feet high, with 
six side ones about 6 feet from the ground, and covered throughout 
with beautiful bright yellow flowers. I have seen many plants of this 
species, but never one which excelled—nay, I may add even equalled— 
this plant. It is interesting in another point of view. When this 
biennial species flowered last year I regarded the plant as done for, but 
to my surprise a side shoot was thrown off, and developed itself in due 
time into the magnificent plant in question. I shall be curious to see 
what its future history is, as I fully expect all my other plants of it 
have sustained their biennial character, and after flowering have 
perished. 
Herbaceous Spiraias. 
Fine-looking plants are to be found amongst the herbaceous Spirasas, 
of which I have several kinds in my garden ; their graceful feathery 
shoots making them very valuable contrasting with the brilliant flowers 
around them. Unfortunately, however, mine have increased so much in 
size that I am compelled to remove them, which I hope to do after they 
have done flowering. Those which I grow are Astilboides, dwarf ; 
Aruncus, a grand plumose variety growing some 5 feet high, with long 
graceful plumes of small white flowers ; palmata, a very beautiful 
variety; but, unfortunately, I have not been very successful with it, 
though I have tried it in various aspects, and I am told that some 
people find it capricious; venusta, a beautiful pink coloured species 
requiring a moist and somewhat shady situation where its bright 
bunches of rosy carmine show off to much advantage. 
Lilies. 
Although as a rule Lilies do not come into flower quite so early 
there are some notable exceptions, and whose period of blooming tends 
to lengthen out very much the season when we can enjoy this beautiful 
tribe of plants. Those which I have had in flower are the highly 
coloured and rich looking umbellatum or davuricum; Szovitzianum, 
an easily grown Lily of a beautifully clear apricot colour, when 
well grown attains to a height of 4 feet or more. Hansoni, a 
very pretty Japanese Lily, somewhat small in size, of a clear apricot 
colour, spotted with chocolate. This was one of those that was 
seriously affected by the drought of last summer; as it made but 
feeble shoots it speedily withered away, but it has come up and 
flowered strongly, so that I am inclined to think that the period 
of comparative rest that it had benefited it. It has one drawback, that 
of having a very unpleasant smell, so that it is impossible to use it for 
indoor decoration. The dwarf Lilies of the Thunbergianum or elegans 
types are very useful for the front of the herbaceous border where Lilies 
are grown. Two of the best of these are citrinus, pure golden yellow with 
black spots, and atro-sanguineum, a very dark red. There are others in 
this group which I have not yet grown. 
Dictamnus fraxinella. 
This species and its variety alba have been in great beauty during the 
early summer. These are unquestionably two of the most interesting 
plants of this season; perfectly hardy, very free-flowering, and remaining 
