November 27, 1897. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
201 
leaves would tend to prevent a recurrence of the 
disease. 
A third disease which has during the past two 
years proved most disastrous to the bulb industry in 
japan, is known as Rhizopus necans. To the naked 
eye this fungus presents the appearance of numerous 
miniature pins, with round black heads springing 
from a white downy felt of mycelium. The minute 
black heads contain numerous conidia, and such of 
these as alight on any injured portion of a bulb, 
germinate at once, enter the tissues, and eventually 
kill the bulb. In addition to conidia, a second form 
of fruits is formed by the fungus in the tissues of the 
decaying bulb ; these remain in a resting place until 
the following spring, when they produce conidia, by 
which the crop of bulbs is again infected. The 
fungus cannot enter the unbroken tissues of a bulb, 
but gains access through some wound, usually 
broken root fibres. 
It has been shown that bulbs are much more 
susceptible to the disease when lifted before they are 
quite mature. Futhermore, such bulbs are usually 
packed for exportation before they are dry, conse¬ 
quently sweating takes place during the journey, and 
all the conditions tend to favour the development 
and spread of the disease. 
A full account of this disease, along with illustra¬ 
tions, is given in the Kew Bulletin, Feruary—March, 
1897- 
CHRYSANTHEMUM MADAME FERLAT. 
This pure white incurved Japanese variety is one of 
the best growers M. Calvat has ever distributed. The 
plant grows only 3* ft. to 4 ft. high, and is of grand 
habit. It ma}' be taken on the first or second crown 
bud, but does best on the first crown, every one 
coming good. The objection which holds with 
regard to many of the coloured varieties does not 
apply here. The pure white of Madame Ferlat re¬ 
mains constant from either bud. The blooms 
measure 6 in. across, which, for an incurved Japanese 
variety, is ample to insure their success on the ex¬ 
hibition boards. The accompaning illustration was 
prepared from a photograph sent us by Mr. William 
Wells, Earlswood Nurseries, Earlswood, Redhill, 
Surrey, with whom the variety has proved of the 
easiest cultivation. A First-class Certificate has 
also been accorded it. 
