57© 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
May 6, 1899, 
carry last year’s berries, including the yellow-fruited 
variety. One arbour is under a Holly, while 
another is covered with Ivy, Crimson Rambler 
Rose, and Lilacs, the latter now coming into bloom. 
No pains have been spared to make this a 
beautiful and restful, quiet home. The house itself 
is exactly square, well built, and proportioned, 
while the interior is roomy with a great deal more 
accommodation than is usually found in suburban 
villas, and amply furnished. 
Mr. Morris's busy outdoor life begins with the 
autumn trade sales. Last year he was selling almost 
every day, commencing the second week in Septem¬ 
ber, till November. Outdoor active life suits him; 
and when business does not promote it he takes 
active outdoor exercise in golfing, walking, or a run 
on his tricycle. For a man of his age his activity is 
remarkable, and his pedestrian tours would put to 
shame many a man of twenty summers. 
-- 
A PROFITABLE WAY OF GETTING 
RID OF TROUBLESOME WEEDS. 
At one time the orchard here was overrun with 
Couch Grass and Woodbine (Convolvulus), and 
with limited labour it was useless to combat with 
them by hoeing or forking, as is usually advised. In 
heavy soil, shaded with trees, hoeing had very little 
effect on ordinary garden weeds if not raked off. The 
spaces between the trees had not been cropped, but 
the soil had been turned over annually, and this 
seems to have been the means of propagating the 
weeds more freely. Having a good stock of Rhubarb 
in other parts of the garden, I planted about fifty 
roots in the most weedy part of the orchard, and a 
similar number the following year; and the third 
year the first lot was taken up for forcing, and more 
planted in a fresh place. As the soil did not appear 
to have been dug beyond the depth of the spade I 
threw out trenches, and for want of manure leaf 
mould was added to the soil as it was returned to 
the trenches. 
The Rhubarb plants grew vigorously, many of 
them measuring 8 ft. across, the second year; and an 
end was put to the weeds in that space, and the 
ground remained clean until the seeds of annuals 
were carried on to it by the wind from other parts. 
After clearing the perennial weeds from the vacant 
spaces, the bush trees were rooted up and Rhubarb 
planted in their place, for Woodbine had got near 
their stems. 
I am now dealing in a similar way with a breadth 
of Horse Radish, that was planted amongst some 
Apple trees, and has now got quite close to their 
stems. Holes are dug 3 ft. apart, commencing on 
the outer side; and from what I can see of the roots 
planted a year ago I feel sure the Horse Radish 
must succumb, even that which is close to the base 
of the stems. — W. P. R. 
- -**— - 
THE FUNGOID PESTS OF OUR 
GARDENS. 
(Continued, from p. 557.,) 
Chrysanthemum Leaf Rust. 
This disease seems to have broken out over the 
continent of Europe during the year 1897, and last 
year it made its appearance in many places in this 
country. The origin of this disease in Europe is 
somewhat shrouded in mystery. Some are of 
opinion that it was imported either from America or 
Japan. On the other hand, there are those who 
think that the Chrysanthemum has been growing 
somewhere in close proximity to plants which were 
subject to this fungus, and that the Chrysanthemum 
has taken the infection. In my opinion it is an im¬ 
portation from the western hemisphere; but with 
this we need not concern ourselves. That which 
concerns us most is that we have got it, and our next 
business is how are we going to get rid of it. 
My first acquaintance with this fungus was in 
January, 1898. I had some cuttings sent me from 
one of the best collections in this country, and a 
healthier, stronger or a cleaner set, to outward 
appearance, one could scarcely wish for. However, 
after they had been in a frame for some weeks the 
undersides of the leaves became as spotty as a leper, 
and what had taken hold of them I could not 
tell. 
I set myself to work to enquire into this strange 
phenomenon, and soon found out (to my great 
disappointment) that it was none other than the 
Chrysanthemum leaf rust. Then the next problem 
which presented itself for solution was to find a 
remedy, and here I tried various things. The first 
trial I made was with sulphur made in this way— 
3 lb. of sulphur, 3 lb. of quick lime, and 3 gallons of 
water. I boiled this until reduced to one-third ; then 
allowed it to settle and drew the clear liquid off. 
This, I may say, is known as the “Grison Liquid,” 
and is a most effectual remedy for all forms of 
mildew, and not injurious to foliage, when used in 
proper proportions. When sprayed upon the foliage 
it assumes the colour of a milky whiteness. 
Then I tried Bordeaux Mixture, which, as you 
know, is a mixture of sulphate of copper and lime. 
This I also found to be unsatisfactory. The rust, 
after being washed with a fairly strong solution of 
this compound, very soon again gained its brown 
healthy colour which is a sure sign that it is still 
living and in health. 
In the next place paraffin was experimented with, 
which was prepared in this way—half gallon of 
water, 1 lb. of whale oil soap ; boil the soap in the 
water until thoroughly dissolved, then add one 
gallon of the best petroleum. Make it boil, and keep 
it boiling for ten or fifteen minutes, stirring it the 
whole time, when it will form a liquid about the 
consistency of gruel; then add a lump of two or 
three ounces of ammonia carbonate. When cold put 
into jars, for using as required. The proportions for 
use are one part of the emulsion to fifteen parts of 
water. With this the plants were sprayed, and with 
marked success. 
Before the plants were ready for their 6-in. pots, 
I had the whole batch clean and healthy with little 
specks remaining upon the leaves, which had been 
affected, about the size of pin points. All went well 
until well into August, when that thunderstorm, 
which broke over the west of England, changed the 
humidity of the atmosphere. Then in a few days 
one variety known as Mdme. Lucy Faure became 
spotted almost all over from the bud downward, 
then, of course, it began to spread most rapidly 
amongst the whole collection, and with plants of this 
size it is not easy to bring it into check. 
Well—where did I fail ? The mistake I made was 
that I had not kept my plants constantly sprayed 
every three or four weeks from the time they were 
rooted to the time they were in flower, thus keeping 
the new foliage constantly impregnated with the 
remedy; then the disease would not have had the 
same possibility of spreading. 
It is my opinion that this fungus in its nature and 
habit of growth is very nearly allied to one of the 
fungoid diseases which attacks our cereal grains called 
by agriculturists " smut.” If the mycelium is not 
destroyed when the plants are in a young state, it 
constantly spreads within the tender tissues of the 
leaves, and at the first favourable atmospheric 
opportunity out it bursts in all its virulence; and 
those plants which are situated near, although free 
from disease, will soon become impregnated through 
the spores alighting and germinating upon the 
leaves. 
I think it is as plain as two and two make four, 
that the mycelium of the Chrysanthemum disease 
keeps its footing within the tissues of a plant in this 
way. Then, again, there is another thing in which 
I am a great believer, and that is with respect to 
feeding, it you are going to battle successfully with 
this disease. 
By all means avoid all fish manures of any des¬ 
cription, and also any other which will form a Didus 
for mildew upon the soil. With manures of this 
kind, if the weather is at all moist, saprophytal 
mildew will grow most vigorously upon it. This 
also acts upon the plant, and rather encourages 
parasitical fungi than prevents them. Use only 
those which will act more as a preventive than a 
stimulant to the disease. Therefore, the manures to 
be used are those which will produce the largest 
amount of chlorophyll or green colouring matter. 
Now, if a soil lacks its proper proportion of iron, 
this green colour in the leaves is not produced so 
strongly as in a soil where a fair proportion of iron 
exists. This is easily to be ascertained in Chrysanth¬ 
emum growing. Set a few plants apart for the pur¬ 
pose of a trial; and to the ammonia and phosphates 
add a small amount of sulphate of iron, and if the 
soil lacks this iron there will be a great improvement 
in the colour of the plants in a week or so, and this 
you will find one of the greatest preventives to 
fungi. 
Soot, thoroughly clarified by a little lime, is 
also an excellent remedy both for internal and 
external application as a preventive. 
Now, I should like to say something of the trials 
made by myself upon this rust during August and 
September of last year ('98). 
In the first place I set apart about ten or a dozen 
plants, those which were most affected by the 
disease ; these were stood in a sheltered, warm spot, 
and all had one position. 
With the first I tried " Bordeaux Mixture.” The 
plants in each case were laid upon their sides, and 
the whole surface of the leaf thoroughly wetted with 
the mixture. Secondly, “ Eau Celeste ” was tried. 
This is made with sulphate of copper and liquid 
ammonia, the copper being first dissolved with hot 
water, and the ammonia added after the copper is 
dissolved. 
Then with the third batch sulphate of iron was 
tried, which I might say was recommended at the 
Rust Conference held in London. 
Fourthly, I took the paraffin emulsion, as recom¬ 
mended at the first, but instead of using it as before 
I added a small portion of chloride of copper. 
This, of course, had to be diluted with a much 
larger quantity of water than when using the emul¬ 
sion alone, as all the salts of copper are most 
injurious to foliage. 
Lastly, by the side of this I tried the old remedy, 
namely, the paraffin emulsion, and from this I 
obtained the best results. The emulsion with the 
chloride came next. 
The •' Bordeaux Mixture ” was not at all satisfac¬ 
tory, and the iron sulphate was no better. Why is 
this so, as all these compounds are good fungicides ? 
Well, mv opinion is this, that the Chrysanthemum 
Leaf Rust produces spores in such an abundance that 
each spot is comparatively like a mass of dry dust, 
and these mixtures of copper being so deadly to 
foliage have to be diluted to such a degree that it 
does not permeate this powder-like substance with 
the degree which is necessary; but with the oil and 
soap emulsion you have two penetrating substances. 
Nothing more so than the oil, as it will stain iron 
instantly, and the soap spreads and makes the whole 
adhesive. This, in my opinion, is the virtue of the 
emulsion, namely, its quickness and permeating 
character. 
(To be continued.) 
MERRY MAY. 
Rural Ramblings and a Song, 
Sweet green May, the laughing month, effulgent 
with hopes (the gift of heaven to weary mortals), 
yea, more joyous than hope, the father's promise 
realised true— 
" While the earth remaineth, &c.” ; 
The oscillations of lime move steadily, From 
Capricorn to Cancer, ” Old Sol ” is lolling round. 
To his gentlest smile the birds piped forth, mavis, 
blackbird, linnet, wren; and dreamy Nature 
drowsily from a long, quiet sleep roused herself and 
peeped forth and flower, then spread her arms in 
greenwood boughs ; in quivering Ferns, and in the 
lightsome elegance of water plants. But as Sol's 
steady smile broadened the gentle herbage shrank 
and sighed patiently till the kindly meaning sun 
might turn for awhile away. Their lassitude grieved 
the beaming sun and his tears—the rain-drops—fell 
silently. And now refreshed, and with a heart full 
gladdened, the whole earth sings. From many a 
dewy twig the twirloo and tweat of songsters 
vibrate through the spicy-scented air. The 
Sycamore and Plane trees hold out their level leaves 
as though reproving mirth, but their effect is over¬ 
balanced by the dancing ebbs from Beeches, Birches, 
Limes, and Elms. Entranced ! With raised eye¬ 
brows, open mouth, and bated breath, we, powerless 
to aver, gorge our beauty-sense till our hearts over¬ 
flow in silent, thankful tears. Back there on the 
slope of the guarded glen a wreath of streaming 
Birches float and reach to a haughty height, kissing 
the blue-tinted clouds. Down their flashing silvery 
pillars our vision glides and rests at the growth of 
shimmering restful, grass, swaying Ferns, and nod¬ 
ding Blue-bells ; pleading Primroses and shy-gazing 
Violets. Away down in depths below, the purling 
boo-boo of the wandering stream comes up to us, 
and we can see the great unflinching moss-grown 
boulders whose sides the little stream strokes. But 
our ramblings and our song must hie us now to 
work. “ Men do come and men do go,” for rest and 
change to those scenes and streams whose freshness 
is ever new.— J. H. D. 
