zrecognised in the United States and other 
szonutries under various names, such as 
bundle blackening, dry end rot, etc. The 
@isease commonly enters the plants through 
the roots and slewly spreads until the whole 
sanderground portion of the plant is infected. 
In infected plants the fungus is always pre- 
eent in the darkened fibrovascular bundles 
wf the tubers. The symptoms of infection 
sre a slow change vf color, the checking of 
growth, and slight curling of the leaves, 
doliowed by wilting and falling of the 
stems, The fungus grows readily in a con- 
siderable variety of culture media and tole- 
zates comparatively large amounts of malic, 
xitrie, and tartarie acids. It is checked in 
srowth, however, by formic, acetic, and 
wutyric acids. The fungus is aerobic and 
grows most vigorously at temperatures 
‘etweon 15° and 30° C. 
Dry rot attacks potatoes from the soil, 
and winters over in infected plants. The 
ase of fertilisers, even in large amounts, 
Zailed to check the development of the dis- 
ase. The fungus persists in stored pota- 
zoes, whether kept in moist or dry rooms, 
unless a low temperature is maintained. 
it is recommended that infected land be 
planted in other crops for a number of 
Beate and that the possibility of the disease 
anfecting tomatoes, eggplants, and pepper 
te kept in mind. Grn care eit abe 
smercised in the choice of seed tubers. 
Some difference in the resisting power of 
‘different potato plants to disease was noted, 
and further investigations will be conducted 
to determine whether highly resistant varie- 
ties may be developed—Washington Ex- 
periment Station Record, 
Vegetable Garden. 
Oo 
OPERATIONS FOR OCTOBER, 
By W.S. Campsetnr. 
During this month vegetables of almost 
ali kinds and varicties are likely to make 
dine growth; that is, if the necessary atten- 
dion. has been jpaid them, and if there has 
4acen sufficient rain for their needs. 
in many districts, where the climate in 
winter is very cold, a start may be made 
with the summer or tender vegetables. 
These include tomatoes, French beans, 
Jima beans, capsicums or chillies, melons, 
pumpkins, &c., and as these are important 
and useful, the best possible means avail- 
able should be taken to raise them. The 
sweet potato might be included for the 
«ool districts, for it will succeed in most 
parts of the State, unless, of course, frosts 
at unexpected times cut down the vines, It 
as worth risking a trial, for this vegetable 
_is'a good one, and a great change from 
that known as the Irish potato. 
Asparagus may be planted in late dis 
tricts if the plants have not yet developed 
their leaves. Where the slioots are just 
starting it will not be too late to plant. 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 
Arrowroot is well worth growing where- 
ever late frosts are not lkely to appear. 
The plant generally grown for the produc- 
tion of arrowroot is the Canna edulis, 
which is closely related to the cannas 
grown for the beauty of their flowers, at 
one time generally known as Indian shot. 
Wherever these cannas succeed it will be 
safe to plant the other species, C. edulis. 
The best arrowroot is produced from a 
species of Maranta, a more tender plant 
than the canna. It succeeds well in the 
north-east coastal districts, but is not very 
much grown, the canna being preferred, 
apparently being more generally known 
for one thing, and easier to manage for 
another. ‘ 
Beans of Kidney or French, and all other 
kinds except the Broad or Windsor bean, 
may be sown. There are numbers and num- 
bers of varieties of these beans, some of 
which succeed well in scme districts, and 
other kinds in other districts; growers, 
therefore, should try several varieties of 
the different kinds of beans, for the seed 
of most of them is inexpensive, and it only 
needs a little more than one bushel of 
dwarf beans to sow an acre. Some bean 
seeds are very much smaller than others; 
for instance, the snake bean seeds are very 
small in comparison with, say, the Cana- 
dian Wonder French bean. Seed can be 
purchased in Sydney at about 2/ a quart, 
and probably at much the same price from 
- agents in the country. After a trial, seed 
of those varieties which succeed best should 
be saved; but it will be necessary to pro- 
tect it from weevil and other insects. 
- Beet (Red and Silver).—Seed of these 
useful vegetables may be sown once or 
twice during the month if necessary. If 
plants of silver beet or spinach have been 
raised, it is possible that further sowings 
will be unnecessary. : 
Cabbage.—Sow a few seeds two or three 
times during the month, in order to keep” 
up a small supply of young plants ready for 
planting when required. The variety 
‘known as St. John’s Day is generally con- 
sidered to be one of the best for the sum- 
mer. Like other vegetables, the varieties 
are numerous, and it is only by actual trial 
in various localities that the best for any 
particular locality can be determined. One 
‘or two of the red varieties should be grown 
for pickling. Niggerhead is a new one 
well spoken of. 
Cauliflower.—Sow a few seeds in cool 
localities only, and plant now and then a 
few well-srown seedling cauliflowers. Mr. 
T. Ellis, of the Howlong Viticultural Sta- 
tion, who is always eager to make trials of 
new vegetable seeds, reports on a variety 
known as Krempin’s Earliest as follows: 
“Tt has proved to be of the highest grade, 
and it should be of great service as an early 
cauliflower, especially to private growers. 
T sowed the seed the first week in Novem- 
ber, and commenced to cut nice heads the 
third week in April. The heads are very 
white and compact, and the flower all that 
October 1, 1904 . 
can be desired. They grow to a nice size, 
and compare favorably with Autumn 
Giant, which I am now cutting (end of 
July). I had only one button in forty 
plants, which speaks well for an early 
variety, which I partly attribute to keep- 
ing them going without a check from the 
start. Another thing makes it very useful 
for private growers, and that is the plants 
do not head all at once ; mine produced 
good heads for fully two months.” I should 
like to mention here that these. directions 
are intended solely for those who grow 
vegetables for their own use. Market gar- 
dening is an industry by itself, and many 
vegetables of perfect flavor and quality, 
and most usetul and desirable for a private 
person to grow, would be unprofitable for 
a market gardener. 
Carrot.—This vegetable is one of great 
use in the kitchen, and a very desirable 
one to grow all the year round wherever 
possible. There are some varicties quite 
small, others of a medium size, and others 
again long-and large. The small and the 
medium kinds will probably be found the 
most useful: Sow a few drills to keep up a 
succession. Thin out the seedlings well 
when they are large enough to work 
amongst, and keep the plants free from 
weeds. 
Celery.—Sow a little seed to keep up a. 
sufficient supply of plants to meet all re- 
quirements, and ‘plant out occasionally 
well-grown seedlings. Use abundance of 
manure, and blanch the plants when they 
are nearly full grown. 
Cucumber.—In warm localities the 
vines should be growing well, but generally 
in the State sowing will just be starting, 
or if young cucumber plants have been 
raised under frames they are being planted, 
and should soon make a start. Pinch the 
growing leading shoots as they extend to 
induce the growth of lateral branches. 
Cress and Mustard.—Sow a little seed 
from time to time during the month. 
Capsicum or Chili.—Sometimes known 
as pepper, for the cayenne pepper of com- 
merce is made from some of the small and 
hottest varieties. Seed may be sown during 
the month in seed bed, and when the seed- 
lings are large enough to handle they may 
be planted out. Varieties are innumerable, 
MUICAL EDUCATION. 
There are many country homes, and also homeg 
in the suburbs, where gardeners and their 
families greet an evening’s recreation with music 
asa great boon. So itshould be, The difficulty 
very often lies in the fact that while the piano or 
organ is there the musician is wanted, ‘To 
supply this pleasure we are introdncing from 
America a Chart of Musical Chords, arranged by 
Mr. Charles E. Pratt.. By the use of these 
Chords, which any ordinary intelligent person 
can learn quickly without any previous know- 
ledge of music, an accompaniment can be played 
to any song yet composed. In addition to the 
Chart. the publishers supply a book of popular 
songs, containing 48 pages, all for the very 
modest price of 2s. 6d. and postage. On receipt 
of 2s. 6d, and postage 2d. we will send the chart 
and music to any address in the Commonwealth. 
An advertisement appears on page 16. 
