THE GARDEN ALBUM AND REVIEW . 
55 
S. conferta is a white-blossomed hybrid between S. cana and S. crenata 
and blooms in May. 
S. DECUMBENS. —This is a procumbent habited, European plant, 
suitable for rock-work. Placed in such a position that the branches can 
hang over the face of a cliff, the slender shoots covered with white flowers 
are very pretty. 
S. media. —In some establishments this European species is probably 
better known as S. confusa. It forms an elegant bush three feet or so 
high and blooms very freely during April and May. For forcing it is 
very popular, the flattened heads of white flowers coming very fine. 
S. prunifolia. —This species from China and Japan is better known 
in gardens by its double-flowered variety than by the type. It forms a nice 
bush six to eight feet high, with long, wiry branches, which, during April 
and early May are studded over with small double flowers. For forcing, 
it is extremely valuable, while for shrubbery work it is quite as useful. 
S. thunbergi. —Although one of the last to be mentioned, this Chinese 
and Japanese species is the first to blossom and in mild springs a goodly 
show of bloom may often be found during the early days of February. 
For its habit, and foliage alone, it is worth attention, as it makes an 
elegant bush two-and-a-half to three feet high with the daintiest of 
pale green leaves. 
S. trilobata. —This is a tall growing plant from N. Asia, often 
attaining a height of eight feet. It is of rather strong growth, with 
broadly, oval leaves, and moderate-sized, flattened heads of pure white 
flowers, borne during May and June. 
S. Van Houttei. —This forms the subject of the coloured plate. It is 
a very floriferous hybrid between the last-named and S. cantoniensis. In 
many respects it resembles S. trilobata, but the leaves are larger, and, 
if anything, it blooms more freely. For forcing, it is a first rate subject, 
either small or in a mature state.—W. Dallimore. 
A CAULIFLOWER DISEASE. 
In the 16th Report (1905) of the Missouri 
Botanical Garden attention is called to a 
mildew (Peronospora parasitica) that suddenly 
attacked some cauliflower plants in a green¬ 
house in the Missouri Botanical Garden during 
the winter of 1903. Within a week the fungus 
had practically spread over all the plants, 
attacking both the old and young leaves. So 
virulent was the attack that it looked for a time 
as if the whole crop would be destroyed. This 
was apparently the first appearance of this 
particular mildew on the cauliflower at Mis¬ 
souri, although it is well enough known in 
connection with other cruciferous plants, such 
as Cardamine hirsuta, C. laciniata, as well 
as on Radishes and Cabbages. It is also 
reported that this same fungus caused much 
loss to the market gardeners in France in the 
winter of 1900. 
The fungus appears in irregular patches on 
the under surface of the younger leaves, the 
parts affected turning white and giving the 
plants a speckled appearance. The growth 
through the tissues was very rapid and after 
several days the entire leaf was usually affected. 
In the late stages the leaves dried considerably 
and became much torn and shrivelled. 
The case reported was practically the only 
one in the neighbourhood. The greenhouse in 
which it occurred had the beds carefully treated 
with lime, and since then there has been no 
further attack on the Cauliflowers. 
