44 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL, 
THE “ SPOT” ON PELARGONIUMS. 
We have received many letters on this subject since we men¬ 
tioned it in last Volume, several of them containing excellent, 
though speculative, ideas on the matter. The following deserve 
particular attention, as they convey sound information and very 
correct suggestions, backed by the experience necessary to the 
management of large collections; for the writers are known to 
us as very eminent growers of Pelargoniums. 
I have never had it in my collection : that I do not wish 
it, every one will believe. I have long held the opinion that it 
arises from a check to the circulation from too sudden alter¬ 
ation of temperature by the admission of cold air upon the 
plants. I once had more specimens than I required, or, indeed, 
than my house would hold. With a desire to reserve them for 
a late blooming, I placed them at the back of the greenhouse, 
upon a shelf two feet above the ground. It was the latter end 
of April, or beginning of May. In a few days all the foliage 
was spotted, as much so as any I had ever seen. Many emi¬ 
nent growers attributed it to an excess of moisture in their 
houses, and banished water from their cisterns. My own tank, 
with a surface of 32 superficial feet, always remains uncovered 
without any ill effect. Yet there was one plant, ‘ Foster’s 
Beauty,’ I could never grow without the foliage being dis¬ 
figured in spite of every experimental attempt to avoid it. 
Distinguished from the spot is a similar disease to which seedling 
Pelargoniums are subject, which I shall term the canker. It 
commences on the stem, or on the termination of the foot-stalk 
at the stem. In some instances it spreads over the surface of 
the leaves, but more frequently affects the parts mentioned until 
late in the season, when the whole plant is a mass of disease; 
the stem cracks horizontally, and the leaf-stalk snaps like glass. 
Still the roots are quite healthy and vigorous. For this I know 
no remedy, or even palliative. Exhibitor.” 
“ Last season introduced me to a knowledge of this pest, 
which may be well designated ‘ a plague-spot.’ I have grown 
Pelargoniums for the last fifteen years, but never suffered from 
its effects till the time named, when it came upon me with a 
vengeance. The season, if you remember, was an alternation 
