August 11, 1894. 
ttiE GARDENING WORLD. 
791 
twenty-four, Germany thirty-two, and France sixty- 
four times as much as Sweden. South France takes 
for its winter festival alone as much as all the other 
countries put together. In the Boulanger period not 
enough Red Carnations could be provided for the 
Paris market, so great was the demand ; while the 
year after no one wanted any. A single perfume 
factory on the Riviera uses every May 33,000 to 
44,000 lbs. of Orange flowers daily ; 2,000 to 30,000 
lbs of rose leaves, and 4,400 lbs. of Jasmine flowers. 
That factory works up during the season 1,100,000 
lbs. of Mint, 220,000 lbs. of peppermint, and twenty- 
two million lbs. of lavender. Seed culture is also 
on an immense scale. Chinese Primroses yield 
thirty to forty kilogrammes of seed (600 seeds weigh 
only one gramme.), and every kilogramme costs 
2,600 to 22,000 francs. Two years ago seven seeds 
of a new sort sold for twelve francs, which makes 
1,028,400 francs per kilogramme. When these 
costly seeds produced a harvest the price, of course, 
fell. About 2,050,000 kilogrammes of cut flowers 
are exported yearly from Cannes, Nice, and 
Antibes. The perfume factories use 3,332,000 kilo¬ 
grammes of flowers for pomades; 1,666,000 for 
scented oils, to the value of from three to five 
million francs ; not reckoning the scented plants 
distilled for essences, which weigh millions of kilo¬ 
grammes. Bulbs are also an important culture. 
Near Hyeres about five million white Hyacinth 
bulbs are produced yearly, and there are 400,000 
Narcissus bulbs, and 100,000 Lily bulbs per annum. 
—Daily News. 
-<«-- 
POTATO DISEASE. 
The Board of Agriculture think it desirable to give 
further publicity to the methods which the various 
experiments recently reported upon in the Papers 
(C. 6647 and C. 7138), laid before Parliament in 1892 
and 1893, indicate as likely to be useful in checking 
the spread of Potato disease. 
Description of the Fungus (Phytophthora 
INFESTANS). 
The fungus which causes this Potato disease be¬ 
longs to the family designated Peronosporeae, and 
is recognised specifically as Phytophthora infestans. 
It attacks the Potato plants by means of conidia, 
or microscopic spores, conveyed either by the wind, 
by insects, dogs, rabbits, hares, foxes, and by human 
beings, or by means of spores from the mycelia, or 
vegetative centres, generated within the growing 
plants, and coming from infected tubers. In very 
dry summers, like that of 1893, there is, as a rule, 
but little disease. On the other hand, it has been 
observed that the fungus has made rapid progress in 
a night temperature of from 47° to 50® Fahr. and a 
day temperature ranging between 57° and 59° Fahr. 
Generally speaking, it may be said that the Potato 
disease is generated, and causes more or less serious 
injury, in warm, showery weather, especially after 
electrical disturbances, and makes its appearance 
between June 25 and the beginning of August. 
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 an 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 gene¬ 
rated, as well as the root-like hyphae which, by 
permeating the leaf tissues and stalks, cause prema¬ 
ture 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 treatment 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 com¬ 
positions 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 circum¬ 
stances, that the cultivators have not time to 
organise and carry out defensive measures. Treat¬ 
ment 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 composi¬ 
tions. 
Compositions. 
The most commonly adopted composition consists 
of 20 lb. of sulphate of copper, 10 lb. of lime, and 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 lb. of sulphate of copper, 7J lb. of lime, and 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 Potatos, 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 lb. of sulphate of copper, 20 lb. of 
lime, 20 lb. of molasses, and roo 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. 
Prepar.ation of the Composition. 
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 
stirred. A bright blue liquid is the result if properly 
made. 
The tubs, pails, and other vessels in which sulphate 
of copper compositions, 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 three gallons. 
There are several kinds of these obtainable at mode¬ 
rate prices. A man can spray from one-third to 
half an acre per day with a machine of this kind. 
Upon large acreages of Potatos a horse-machine 
would be required. With this from eight to twelve 
acres can be sprayed per day. 
The quantity of dressing applied usually varies 
between no and 150 gallons per acre. 
Care must be observed to ensure regular distribu¬ 
tion 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 sur¬ 
faces 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 v/ould 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 com¬ 
positions 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 8s. 6d. to iis. per acre for each 
application of the two per cent, of sulphate of 
copper composition. The composition with the 
molasses costs from los. 6d. to 13s. per acre.— 
4, Whitehall Place, London, S.W., July, 1894. 
- m%. -— 
LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL 
ASSOCIATION. 
The sixteenth show of this Society was held in 
Sefton Park on the 4th and 6th inst., and we regret 
to say that the opening day was most unfavourable 
as regards the weather, so much so in fact that only 
just over £20 was taken at the gates. The show as 
a whole exhibited a downward tendency, the plants 
being less in size and numbers, and the fruits 
slightly below the average, although some of the 
Grapes were superb. Roses perhaps were the 
weakest section of the exhibition, which can be 
attributed to the weather. 
Vegetables were we'l staged, Mr. Hathaway 
having fine samples, whilst Mr. Craven perhaps 
surpassed even the splendid dishes of Tomatos that 
have been seen here in previous years, and easily 
secured the Silver Medal, with large perfectly 
finished fruits of "Alexander.” 
Mr. Carling secured the blue riband of the show 
amongst plantsmen by winning the Silver Medal for 
the exhibit showing the highest cultural skill in the 
exhibition with a model Ixora Pilgrimii about 4 ft. 
in diameter, and furnished from base to apex with 
large fresh trusses of bloom. 
For eight stove and greenhouse plants, W.H. Watts, 
Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Bracegirdle), Elm Hall, 
Wavertree, gained the premier award with Kentia 
Fosteriana, 10 ft., Latania borbonica, 12 ft., Croton 
Disraeli, C. Queen Victoria, superb in colour, Statice 
Holfordii, Ixora Regina, 4ft.,well flowered, Cleroden- 
dron Balfourianum and Erica Marnockiana. Mr. 
J. Jellicoe, gardener to F. H. Gossage, Esq., was 
second. 
For six stove or greenhouse plants, three foliage 
and three flowering, W. J. Davey, Esq., (gardener, 
Mr. G. Leabbetter), Homeleigh, Grassendale, was 
first, and Col. Wilson (gardener, Mr. T. Healey), 
Hillside, Allerton, second. Four stove and greenhouse 
plants in bloom, first. Col. Wilson ; second, E. C. 
Leventon, Esq. (gardener, Mr. H. McFall), Roby. 
For four fine foliage plants Mr. F. H. Gossage 
took the lead, Henry Tate, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. 
Edwards), Allerton, being second. 
In the class for circular groups of plants, in or out 
cf bloom, arranged for effect, not exceeding 250 
square ft. (open), W. H. Watts, Esq., was first with 
a charming combination composed of a groundwork 
of Adiantum cuneatum, brightened up with well- 
coloured Crotons, Francoa ramosa, Oncidiums, 
scarlet Pelargoniums, Odontoglossums, etc.; second, 
Mr. F. H. Gossage with a similar collection, but 
lacking the brightness of the premier group. 
Cut Flowers. 
Forty-eight Roses, distinct (open) : First, Messrs. 
Harkness & Sons, with splendid blooms of the 
following;—Sport from Duke of Fife, Marie 
Beaumann, Mr. John Laing, Dr. Andry, A. K. 
Williams, Duchess de Morny, B. Joubert, Duchess 
of Bedford, Alf. Colomb, Reynolds Hole, and 
Avocat Duvivier. With eighteen Roses, Tea, hybrid 
Tea, and Noisettes, distinct (open), the same 
exhibitors were to the fore with fine flowers of 
Comtesse de Nadiallac, Souv. d'Elise Vardon, Hon. 
E. Gifford, The Bride, Etoile de Lyon, and Princess 
Beatrice. 
