the gardening world. 
November 23, 1907. 
The Flower Garden. 
A sjhort time ago Mr; G. F. Drayson 
asked for information respecting the curious 
disease affecting Sweet Peas. 
& Sweet Pea Disease. 
Doubtless he, like many others, had heard 
af Peronospora Viciae, but curiously enough 
no fungicide applied to affected plants had 
any noticeable effect. This fact, coupled 
with the knowledge of a friend’s futile ef¬ 
forts to discover any fungoid growth upon 
his suffering plants, convinced me that 
Peronospora was by no mecns the sole cause 
of the trouhle. Knowing how 'serious a 
menace eelworm (Tylenchus devastatrix) was 
becoming, I had some of my own plants 
examined, both root and branch, and, sure 
enough, eelworm in vast quantities uere 
found in the roots, besides sclerotia disease. 
4 word to my friend set him again examin¬ 
ing his plants, and he also reports the roots 
of his Sweet Pea plants as swarming with 
eelworm. 
Eelworm the Cause. 
I think I may let the matter stop at that. 
Eelworm, and not fungoid disease, is what 
menaces the future Sweet Pea grower, and 
Mr. Drayson and others will have to get 
their backs to the work of fighting this 
microscopic pest that is causing so much 
loss to market growers. Eelworm is to be 
found in the manure, and the very finest 
turf loam, especially if clover has been grow¬ 
ing, is Liable to be as full of eelworm as the 
oldest garden soil. 
The Remedy. 
Readers must pardon this lengthy dis¬ 
course, but as Sweet Pea plots are now being 
dug 'the present is the time to attack this 
invisible pest. Vaporite and fresh burnt 
lime are useful for the purpose. No manure 
should be used unless it has been violently 
heated. Doubtless the Editor or reader ex¬ 
perts can give further aid. 
Digging and Planting. 
The fine weather of late has enabled us to 
push on with digging and trenching, and 
personally I am glad to be able to say that 
I have got all the Rose ground finished and 
planted. Orwing to the mild weather one 
may still plant Roses, and various other 
trees and shrubs if they are at hand, but the 
work should not be delayed a day more than 
necessary. The soil is rapidly cooling, 
which prevents any chance of root formation. 
Any stuff that cannot be planted should be 
laid in a sheltered part of the garden, se¬ 
lecting a dry situation. 
Planting Biennials and Perennials. 
The last of the biennials and perennials 
should be planted at once. If the ground 
is not fit, let the plants remain in the pre¬ 
sent quarters until February or March. Do 
not purchase such plants before that time. 
On cold, heavy soil it is advisable not to 
plant anything after this date. 
All borders should be tidied up now. The 
dead tops of herbaceous plants are certainly 
not ornamental. 
Chrysanthemums. 
Chrysanthemums that have finished flower¬ 
ing should be cut down closely, and if an 
increase of stock is desired the roots should 
be packed closely in frames. Failing this 
protection, a shovelful of well-aired ashes 
piled over the roots will keep off severe 
frosfs, and encourage young shoots early in 
the spring. There is generally a great deal 
of trouble with slugs just when growth is 
starting in the spring. Ashes tend to pro¬ 
tect the tender sheets from these pests. 
. . Chrysanthemum .. 
MRS. L. THORN. 
The above is a Japanese variety of the 
first water, measuring about Sin. in dia¬ 
meter, possibly sometimes more. The 
florets are very broad and light yellow, 
with a silvery cream on the reverse. 
They are of great length, but they curl 
up at the tips and turn in different direc¬ 
tions, but it is still classed as a true 
Japanese variety. It is of easy growth 
and may be had rather early in the sea¬ 
son, for it first made its appearance at a 
meeting of the Floral Committee of the 
National Chrysanthemum Society on 
October 14th, when it received a hirst- 
class Certificate. It was also brought be¬ 
fore the R.H.S. on the 29th m good con¬ 
dition. It is not only easy of growth, but 
keeps well owing to the great substance 
of the florets, even ,in a damp autumn 
like the past has been. The exhibitors on 
both occasions were Messrs. W. Wells 
and Co., Merstham, Surrey. 
Nerine F. D. Godman. 
This is evidently a rosy salmon variety 
of N. curvifolium. Award of Merit by 
the R.H.S. when shown by F. D. God- 
man, Esq., Horsham. 
Horticulture at the Franco-British Exhibition. 
Lieutenant-Colonel D. Prain, Director 
of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will 
preside over the horticultural and arbori- 
cultural branches of the Franco-British 
Exhibition to be opened in London next 
year. Earl Carrington is honorary pre¬ 
sident of the Agricultural and Horticul¬ 
tural section. 
Japanese Chrysanthemum Mrs. L. Thorn. 
