October  31, 1895. 
journal  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
411 
are  not  worth  the  trouble  of  growing,  for  they  come  into  bloom  so  late 
and  they  are  not  nearly  so  productive  as  young  ones.  Too  much  cannot 
be  said  in  praise  of  the  Cyclamen  as  a  decorative  plant ;  it  has  a  fine 
appearance  when  grown  well,  the  flowers  are  conspicuous,  and  the 
foliage  beautiful. — M.  W. 
TINE  ROOT-STEM  DESTROYED. 
On  examining  the  portion  of  stem  and  roots  of  a  Vine  which  has 
been  sent  to  me  I  discerned  two  things  visible  to  the  unaided  eye — 
1,  The  spotted  snake  millipede  (Jules  guttatus,  Fai.  ;  J.  pulchellus, 
Leacli)  ;  2,  Small  white  knobs  and  streaks — the  mycelium  and  rhizo- 
morphis  of  a  fungus.  On  cutting  a  slice  of  the  root  with  a  knife  small 
egg-like  bodies  (about  the  size  of  a  large  pin-head  when  examined  with 
a  power  of  six  diameters)  were  seen  somewhat  abundantly.  The  mille¬ 
pedes  I  found  on  the  dead  portion  of  the  root-stem  were  scavengers 
feeding  on  and  fostering  in  the  dead  organic  matter.  Likewise,  the 
small  bodies  (Hoplaphora)  found  in  the  root-bark  and  wood  immediately 
beneath  were  confined  absolutely  to  the  dead  and  decayed  parts,  having 
no  connection  whatever  with  the  living  portion  of  the  root-stem,  and 
were  not  the  cause  but  the  consequence  of  its  unfortunate  condition. 
On  searching  for  the  real  cause  of  death  I  found  that  the  diameter 
of  the  Vine  stem  5  inches  above  the  ground  level,  or  the  surface  of  the 
soil,  was  2^  inches,  or  inches  in  circumference,  and  at  4  inches  below 
the  ground  level  the  circumference  was  9  inches — that  is,  it  was  swollen. 
Down  to  this  point  (4  inches  below  ground)  the  stem  of  the  Vine  was 
quite  healthy,  and  on  removing  a  portion  of  bark  bled  a  little.  At 
5  inches  below  the  surface  I  came  across  brown  matter  (dead  cells) 
separated  by  white  substances  (stout  hyphae  of  a  fungus).  The  growth 
of  the  latter  bodies  between  the  bast  (inner  bark)  and  alburnum  (young 
outer  layers  of  wood)  cells  was  evidently  the  cause  of  the  swelling,  and 
the  abstraction  of  the  contents  of  the  cells  resulted  in  the  death  of  the 
Vine.  The  fungus  grew  upward  in  the  stem,  completely  girdling  it. 
The  part  below  5  inches  from  the  surface  was  completely  dead,  and  on 
this  part  only  were  found  the  animals  before  named. 
Thus  the  fungus  was  fed  by  the  elaborated  and  descending  (so 
called)  juices  of  the  Vine,  and  in  the  early  stages  of  attack  would  have 
somewhat  the  effect  of  “ringing” — causing  the  Vine  to  produce  larger 
fruit.  Such  appears  the  case,  for  the  berries  of  the  bunch  are  large  for 
Alicante,  finely  coloured  and  well  flavoured.  It  was  its  last  effort,  for 
the  fungus  had  slowly  but  surely  seized  on  its  victim,  and  was  eating 
it  away  piecemeal  from  below  upwards.  Nevertheless,  the  Vine  made 
an  effort  to  retrieve  its  calamity,  and  emitted  adventitious  roots 
from  the  stem  just  beneath  the  surface.  These,  however,  had  been 
seized  on  by  the  fungus,  for  it  pushes  a  quantity  of  mycelium  up  the 
stem  outside  the  cortex  among  the  old  bark  and  over  it,  frequently 
level  with  and  sometimes  above  the  ground  line,  in  advance  of  the 
stout  hyphge  ascending  in  the  bast  cells  and  alburnous  layers,  and  it 
is  from  this  hypbm  that  the  rhizomorphis  and  the  sclerotia  form.  By 
the  latter  the  disease  is  carried  over  indefinite  periods,  the  white 
mycelium  spreading  in  the  ground  to  long  distances,  afterwards 
destroying  the  whole  of  the  tissues  of  the  larger  roots,  until  dually 
the  stem  is  reached,  and  that  being  destroyed  all  round  above  the 
roots  the  Vine  suddenly  collapses,  as  in  this  case. 
The  root-fungus  is  Dematophora  necatrix,  and  attacks  Vines  as 
described,  also  sometimes  Mardchal  Niel  Eose  trees.  It  is  distributed 
throughout  Austria,  South-west  Germany,  Italy,  Switzerland,  France, 
and  England.  It  was  first  publicly  noticed  as  occurring  in  this  country 
in  the  spring  of  this  year  by  Mr.  G.  Massee,  F.L.S,,  in  the  columns  of  a 
contemporary.  My  acquaintance  with  Dematophora  necatrix  dates 
from  1888,  when  it  appeared  on  some  Vines  which  produced  excellent 
Grapes,  but  towards  the  close  of  the  season  had  “  brownure,”  and  were 
distressed  in  the  principal  leaves  under  powerful  sun. 
How  this  particular  fungus  manages  to  infest  plants — healthy  or 
unhealthy — is  described  as  follows  by  Prof,  Hanig  : — “  The  parasite 
that  we  are  here  discussing  spreads  in  the  vineyards  from  plant  to  plant 
by  means  of  its  underground  mycelium,  so  that  we  often  hear  of  great 
damage  being  done.  Other  plants  that  are  cultivated  in  the  vineyards, 
such  as  fruit  trees.  Potatoes,  Beans,  Beet,  and  the  like,  also  fall  a  victim 
to  the  fungus.  During  my  investigations  I  found  that  the  mycelium 
could  at  once  kill  young  Maples,  Oaks,  Beeches  [it  killed  specimens  of 
over  48  feet  in  height  in  1889]  Pines,  Spruces,  &c.” 
Soluble  phenyle  and  Jeyes’  fluid  are  excellent  fungicides.  When  a 
wineglaisful  of  these  to  .3  gallons  of  soft  water,  and  that  amount  given 
per  square  yard,  the  fungi  from  some  tree  stumps  and  buried  roots  dis¬ 
appeared,  and  have  not  appeared  again,  while  the  grass  was  not  injured 
in  the  least.  That  is  as  it  should  be.  You  can  try  1  oz.  Jeyes’  fluid,  or 
soluble  phenyle,  to  IJ  gallon  of  water.  Much  stronger  doses  are  given, 
but  they  are  not  necessary,  and  may  do  harm  to  tender  roots.  Even 
smaller  amounts  of  either  fluid  will  destroy  the  parasite.  Also  remove  the 
soil  down  to  the  roots,  clear  it  all  away — the  10  inches  that  never  ough: 
to  have  been  put  there.  The  main  roots  ought  to  start  from  the  stem 
level  with  the  soil.  If  they  are  above  it  all  the  better,  only  mulch  or 
top-dress,  so  as  to  keep  active  feeders  from  the  collar  and  near  the 
surface.  Give  the  watering  with  the  preparation  after  the  soil  has  been 
removed,  and  when  it  has  soaked  in  top-dress  with  2  or  o  inches,  not 
more,  over  the  stronger  roots,  with  good  turfy  loam,  and  sprinkle  on  it 
4  ozs.  per  square  yard  of  the  advertised  fertilisers.  If  the  main  roots 
are  not  already  affected  by  the  fungus,  or  it  has  not  got  above  the  part 
from  whence  the  soil  is  taken  from  the  stems,  the  Vines  will  push  tresh 
roots  from  the  live  parts  of  the  main  roots,  even  callusing  the  part  where 
the  fungus  has  been  destroyed  in  the  living  wood,  pusuing  fresh  roots, 
and  thus  promoting  healthy  growth. — G.  Abbey. 
STORING  TUBEROUS  BEGONIAS. 
A  FEW  remarks  at  the  present  time  on  the  storing  of  Begonia  tubers 
for  the  winter  may  be  of  some  slight  service  to  a  few  of  the  inexpe¬ 
rienced  admirers  of  this  charming  and  useful  flower.  Too  often  it  is 
to  be  feared,  as  soon  as  the  flowering  season  is  past,  they  get  very  poor 
treatment  indeed,  and  are  more  often  than  not  packed  away  under 
greenhouse  stages  and  such  places  to  take  care  of  themselves.  In  con¬ 
sequence,  owing  to  drip  and  other  evils,  many  of  tnem  come  to  grief 
long  before  the  spring,  causing  much  annoyance.  Given  proper  storage 
throughout  the  winter  the  death  rate  should  not  be  higher  than  1  per 
cent. 
The  best  method,  to  my  knowledge,  is  that  of  dry  storage  in  boxes 
or  barrels.  The  tubers  must  be  carefully  lifted,  or  in  the  case  of  pot 
plants  shaken  out,  care  being  taken  that  the  roots  immediately  surround¬ 
ing  them  are  not  rubbed  off,  as  many  of  these  live  through  the  winter 
and  send  forth  fresh  rootlets  in  the  spring:  If  they  are  numerous  use 
barrels,  and  place  alternate  layers  of  dry  soil  (preferably  leaf  mould), 
placing  sufficient  between  the  layers  of  tubers  to  effectually  prevent 
them  coming  into  contact  with  each  other. 
With  the  choicer  varieties,  such  as  the  pot  ones  and  any  seedlings  of 
great  merit,  which  it  is  desirable  should  be  kept  specially  labelled, 
shallow  boxes  of  about  4  inches  in  depth  will  be  found  to  answer 
admirably.  To  insure  the  correct  labelling  of  these  fasten  the  label  by 
the  aid  of  tacks  to  the  outside  of  the  box,  directly  opposite  the  root  or 
roots,  keeping  these  latter  in  place  by  laying  pieces  of  lath  between 
each  variety  as  it  is  placed  in  the  box.  In  the  case  of  those  in  barrels, 
if  more  than  one  variety  is  packed  together  place  sheets  of  stout  brown 
paper,  with  the  label  placed  below  it,  before  commencing  with  a  fresh 
sort. 
When  all  have  been  properly  packed,  store  the  boxes  or  barrels  away 
in  some  cool  place,  taking  care  that  it  is  both  mice  and  frost  proof. 
Although  they  will  suffer  no  harm  so  long  as  the  temperature  is  not 
allowed  to  fall  below  freezing  point,  it  is  better  to  be  sure  that  it  never 
falls  much  below  40°,  and  then  no  undue  risk  is  incurred.  Thus  stored 
no  more  attention  will  be  required  before  next  March  or  April,  unless 
the  tubers  are  needed  for  early  flowering,  when  they  should  be  started 
in  February  ;  but  a  few  remarks  on  this  phase  of  their  culture  may  very 
fittingly  be  held  over  for  the  present. — Begon. 
DARLINGTON  GARDENERS’  INSTirUTB. 
Apple  and  Pear  Exhibition. 
The  Committee  of  the  above  Institute  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
success  that  attended  its  efforts  in  promoting  such  an  excellent  exhibi¬ 
tion  as  was  held  on  25th  and  26th  October.  The  object  in  view  was  to 
show  what  can  be  done  in  fruit  growing  in  England.  It  was  also  desired 
to  show  the  varieties  best  adapted  for  local  cultivation.  The  attendance 
was  large  on  both  days,  and  the  spirit  of  inquiry  manifested  by  the 
persons  present  showed  they  were  interested  in  the  exhibition. 
Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Sons,  Sawbridgeworth,  had  a  maguificeat 
collection,  most  noticeable  in  which  were  Cox’s  Orange  Pippin,  Scarlet 
Golden  Pippin,  Bismarck,  Mere  de  Menage,  Wadhurst  Pippin,  Nelson 
Codlin,  Dumelow’s  Seedling,  and  Lane’s  Prince  xVlbert  Apples,  with 
Pitmaston  Duchess.  Marie  Louise,  and  Conterence  Pears.  Messrs.  J. 
Backhouse  &  Son,  York,  were  admirably  represented  by  a  collection  of 
over  sixty  varieties  of  Apples. 
Local  nurserymen  well  sustained  their  reputation,  Messrs.  Kent  a,nd 
Brydon  staging  a  good  collection  of  over  fifty  varieties.  The  leading 
sorts  were  Lord  Lennox,  Scarlet  Pearmain,  Bramley’s  Seedling,  Sleeping 
Beauty,  Dr.  Harvey,  Red  Robin,  Dumelow’s  Seedling,  Stirling  Castle, 
Lane’s  Prince  Albert,  New  Hawthornden,  Cox’s  Pomona,  and  Gloria 
Mundi  Apples  ;  Louise  Bonne  of  Jersey  and  Pitmaston  Duchess  Pears. 
The  exhibits  from  private  growers,  though  more  limited  in  variety, 
were  in  no  way  behind  those  of  nurserymen  in  point  of  quality.  Mr. 
Mclndoe,  gardener  to  Sir  J.  W.  Pease,  Bart,,  staged  Ribston  Pippin, 
Blenheim  Orange  Pippin,  King  of  the  Russets,  Gipsy  King,  Cellini,  and 
Emperor  Alexander  Apples  ;  Beurre  Clairgeau  and  Durondeau  Pears  in 
beautiful  condition  for  size  and  colour.  Mr.  Douglas,  gardener  to  the 
Viscountess  Djwne,  Baldersby  Park,  staged  thirty-six  varieties,  of  which 
the  following  were  very  fine  : — Grey  Le.adington.  Mere  de  Mbnage, 
Warner's  King,  Cellini,  Peasgood’s  Noaesueh,  Reinette  de  Canada 
Apples  :  and  Doyenne  du  Comice,  Marie  Louise,  and  Beurrb  Hardy 
Pears. 
The  best  dish  of  Apples  in  the  show  was  one  of  Bismarck,  sent  by 
Colonel  Scurfield,  Hurworth-on-Tees.  Grand  a.s  this  Apple  generally  is, 
it  is  questionable  if  a  better  half  rluzeu  has  ever  been  exhibited. 
Another  noticeable  collection  came  from  .Mr.  Lee,  gardener  to  Lady 
Cowell,  Clifton  Castle.  King  of  the  Pippins  was  grand,  both  in  size' 
and  colour  ;  Bramley’s  Seedling,  Blenheim  Orange.  Peasgond’s  None¬ 
such,  Warner’s  King,  New  Hawthorudi-n  Apples.  Marie  Louise  and 
Pitmaston  Duchess  Pears  were  all  excellent.  L  ud  Darraiiifjre,  Sir 
David  Dale,  Sir  T.  Fry,  H.  F.  Pease,  Esq  ,  M.P.  ;  Mrs.  G.  Pease,  Mrs. 
A.  Backhouse,  J.  B.  Hodgkin,  Esq.;  and  Messrs.  Glaister,  Siiffield, 
Mallabar  ;  Barron  &;  Mackay  were  exhibitor.s  uf  collections  comprising 
'  the  varieties  above  named,  and  all  in  good  condition. 
