THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
407 
PREVENTING DEATH OF CLEMATIS PLANTS 
The sudden dying of clematis plants, especially wher¬ 
ever the large-flowered kinds are grown extensively in 
America and Europe, has been noted for many years, 
and the cause and methods for prevention of this disease 
have recently been reported in the Journal of Agricul¬ 
tural Research of the United States Department of Agri¬ 
culture, by W. 0. Glover of the New York Agricultural 
Experiment Station at Geneva, N. Y. This investigator 
found that the primary cause of the dying of these plants 
is a fungus known as Ascochyta clematidina. Experi¬ 
ments have shown that the transferring of this fungus to 
healthy plants causes them to take the disease. 
The disease shows itself differently on various species. 
On hybrids grown in the field it is a stem-rot. while in 
the greenhouse where cuttings are propagated, it is a leaf- 
spot as well as a stem-rot. On the Clematis paniciilata 
the disease takes both forms. 
The following methods for controlling this fungus are 
recommended: 
There is less disease when the hybrids are supported 
while growing than when they are permitted to trail on 
the ground. In the case of the Clematis paniciilata. 
however, the selling price of this variety does not war¬ 
rant incurring the expense of supports. The author 
in this case advises transplanting the plants from the 
beds to the open field after the first year, and placing 
them far enough apart to prevent matting, which is 
always a condition favorable to the disease. The fol¬ 
lowing spray applied lightly controls the disease on 
Clematis paniciilata growing in the beds and on cuttings 
in the greenhouse: One pound of laundry soap and 6 
pounds of sulphur to 15 gallons of water. The disease 
can be controlled on the hybrids in the forcing frames or 
in the greenhouse by the use of sprays. In all cases it 
is best to remove the diseased leaves and dead vines, be¬ 
fore spraying. It is particularly important to clear out 
such leaves and vines, especially if the plant is wintering 
outdoors, as the fungus is able to survive cold weather. 
This indicates also that the same beds should not be 
used for clematis during successive vears. 
The retail purchaser of clematis can prevent the dying 
of plants by taking proper simple precautions. The 
plants should be placed in good soil, well drained and 
on a sunny exposure. As soon as the new shoots have 
formed the old vine tissue should be carefully cut away 
close to the new shoots, removing all traces of the brown, 
discolored wood in which the fungus is to be found. 
Proper ventilation is obtained by training the plants to 
a strong trellis. 
It is gratifying to note that according to the reports 
from the United States Department of Agriculture. 
Bureau of Animal Industry, that the quarantines for the 
Foot and Mouth Disease are gradually being lifted and 
it looks very much as if the disease will be stamped out 
and all the states will be free in the near future. This 
news will be almost as gratifying to the nurserymen as 
to the cattlemen as so much straw and such material 
which comes under the quarantine is used in packing and 
while the quarantine was in order nurserymen were put 
to considerable difficulty in procuring the right kind of 
materials with which to pack their goods. 
BUSINESS TROUBLES 
The Franklin Davis Nursery Company, Baltimore, 
Maryland, has been adjudicated a bankrupt with its con¬ 
sent. Bond for $7,500 was given by the receiver, who 
will continue the business and act until a trustee is se¬ 
lected. 
William F. Stone has been appointed receiver. The 
petition to have the company adjudicated a bankrupt was 
filed by the following creditors: Samuel A. Burk and 
Joseph E. White, both of Mitchellville, Prince George's 
county, Md., and both employees of the company, $963.14 
and $7,352.21. and estate of Rufus Woods, for rent. 
$676.50. 
The answer of the company admitting its inability to 
pay its debts and consenting to be adjudicated a bankrupt 
was signed by Joseph Davis, president. 
A petition for the appointment of a receiver was filed 
by the Western National Bank, to which the company 
owes about $30,000. It stated that among the assets of 
the company were orders aggregating $12,000 and others 
were coming in. 
Baltimore, October 21st, 1915. 
National Nurseryman. 
Livingston Bldg.. Rochester, N. Y. 
Dear Sirs:—- 
We wish to inform our friends and patrons through 
your columns that our Company has found it necessary 
to go into the hands of a receiver for a short period in 
order to protect our interests as well as the interest of 
our creditors. If we can get permission from the Court 
to allow the business to be continued, and we are sure we 
can, it will pay dollar for dollar and have a business left. 
Arrangements are about completed for enough cash to get 
out our fall sales. All orders received will be filled as 
usual and with promptness and we want your co-opera¬ 
tion. 
We regret this and especially after a career of more 
tjian 65 years. We believe that we have had the con- 
fidence of the nursery trade and shall hope to continue to 
have it. 
We will need some little stock this fall and ot course, 
the payment of all such orders will be guaranteed by the 
receiver. General conditions all over the country, low 
prices caused by overproductions are the only reasons 
wc can give for our condition. 
Very respectfully, 
Franklin Davis Nursery Co., 
Joseph Davis, President. 
