130 
JOURNAL  of  horticulture  and  cottage  gardener. 
t’ebruary  6,  1896. 
Winter  Temperatures  for  Conservatory  ( Subscriber ). — The 
most  suitable  average  temperature  for  a  conservatory  at  this  season  is 
60°.  In  the  daytime  in  favourable  weather  the  temperature  may  rise 
to  55°,  and  approach  60°  with  sun,  always  affording  more  or  less 
ventilation  on  the  sheltered  side  of  the  structure  when  the  thermometer 
rises  above  50°.  Damp,  cold  fogs  are  best  excluded.  In  cold,  frosty 
weather  40°  to  45°  at  night  is  ample,  and  better  than  a  higher  reading 
during  the  prevalence  of  a  low  temperature  outside. 
Genista  Flowers  Dropping:  ( Subscriber ). — The  hot  and  dry 
atmosphere  has  been  the  cause  of  the  Genista  flowers  dropping.  The 
transpiration  from  the  growth  has  been  greater  than  the  comparatively 
inactive  roots  could  at  first  supply  in  a  temperature  of  60°.  Probably 
the  soil  in  the  pots  had  been  allowed  to  become  dry,  or  if  that  was  not 
the  cause  the  sudden  transition  from  a  cool  to  a  hot  temperature  brought 
about  the  results  stated.  Hardwooded  plants  should,  in  forcing,  be 
gradually  inured  to  warmth.  Lightly  syringing  daily  with  tepid  water 
and  keeping  the  floors  moist  is  of  great  assistance.  Plants  for  forcing 
into  bloom  in  January  ought  to  be  specially  prepared  for  the  purpose, 
but  Genistas  are  not  usually  flowered  before  February. 
Primulas  Pale  in  Colour  (5,). —  We  do  not  find  that  Primula 
sinensis  flowers  lose  colour  from  a  judicious  application  of  heat.  The 
plants  ought  to  succeed  well  and  the  blooms  open  freely,  retaining  their 
colour  to  the  end  in  the  temperature  you  name — viz.,  50°  to  55°,  especially 
if  the  plants  are  near  the  glass.  All  the  light  possible  is  necessary  at 
this  season,  because  upon  that  mainly  depends  the  development  of 
colour.  There  are  other  points  of  great  importance,  including  robust 
healthy  plants  with  abundance  of  fibrous  roots  in  pots  not  too  large, 
also  correct  watering.  Partially  exhausted  plants  frequently  develop 
their  later  flowers  on  a  truss  rather  paler  than  usual,  and  the  strain  of 
seed  has  some  influence  on  good  colouration. 
Scale  oa  Peach  Trees  {Inquirer). — There  are  several  waysof  getting 
rid  of  scale  on  Peach  trees  while  the  latter  are  dormant,  such  as  dressing 
with  any  of  the  advertised  insecticides,  using  a  stiff  brush  and  working  it 
well  into  and  around  the  joint  without  displacing  the  bud,  afterwards 
syringing  thoroughly.  We  have  been  very  successful  with  trees  badly 
infested  by  simply  wetting  every  part  with  hot  water.  If  the  trees  are 
on  outside  walls  they  must  be  unnailed,  so  that  the  water  will  reach 
every  part  ;  if  under  glass,  taken  from  the  wires  and  looped  up  loosely. 
The  water  should  be  used  at  a  temperature  of  ab)utl30°and  applied 
forcibly  through  the  syringe.  Soapy  water  will  not  cause  the  buds  to 
drop,  nor,  on  the  other  hand,  will  it  kill  the  scale  unless  it  is  heated  as 
described.  These  cleansing  operations  must  precede  growth  ;  and,  if 
properly  carried  out,  the  young  shoots  will  easily  be  kept  clean  by 
regular  and  judicious  syringing  and  due  attention  to  ventilation,  thin¬ 
ning.  and  other  cultural  details. 
Orchid  Leaves  Spotted  {Grower). — The  spots  on  the  Orchid  leaves 
sent  are  caused  by  thrips,  possibly  owing  to  the  plant  having  been  grown 
in  a  dry  atmosphere.  The  marks  will  never  be  erased  from  the  leaves 
attacked,  but  you  should  endeavour  to  rid  the  plants  of  the  insects  in 
order  to  prevent  any  further  mischief.  Dipping  the  plants  in  a  fairly 
strong  solution  of  softsoap  and  tobacco  water,  and  carefully  sponging 
afterwards  is  the  best  remedy  ;  but  this  is  quite  useless  unless  you 
maintain  a  more  suitable  atmosphere.  Odontoglots  are  difficult  to  grow 
in  a  greenhouse  with  ordinary  plants  of  a  miscellaneous  character,  and 
we  would  s'rongly  advise  you  to  try  them  in  a  shady  frame  during  the 
summer.  You  will  find  they  are  much  happier  there,  the  foliage  will 
be  healthier,  and  the  plants  improved  in  every  way,  and  with  the 
increased  vigour  thus  gained  they  may  pass  the  winter  in  the  greenhouse 
in  fairly  good  order.  The  temperatures  you  give  are  right,  the  fault  lies 
entirely  in  the  atmospheric  conditions  of  the  house  as  evinced  by  the 
poor  texture  of  the  foliage  sent. 
liquid  Manure  for  Orchards  (MeopJtam).  —  Though  liquid 
manure  may  be  given  with  great  benefit  to  exhausted  fruit  trees  and 
bushes  at  this  season  of  the  year,  and  much  stronger  than  during  the 
summer,  yet  considering  the  marked  absence  of  rain  during  the  past 
month  the  drainage  referred  to  may  be  unusually  strong,  and  it  would 
be  prudent  to  test  its  effects  on  grass,  waiting  a  week  for  results,  prior  to 
using  the  liquid  extensively.  In  any  case,  we  suspect  it  would  do  great 
good  if  diluted  with  an  equal  quantity  of  water.  You  will  be  then  able 
to  assist  more  trees,  and  it  may  be  well  to  remember  that  the  best 
feeding  roots  are  not  generally  close  to  the  stems,  but  at  a  distance  from 
them  about  equal  to  the  extension  of  the  branches.  Also  keep  in  mind 
that  it  will  be  better  to  treat  a  limited  number  of  the  weaker  trees 
liberally  than  to  give  light  applications  to  a  much  greater  number.  At 
least  four  gallons  should  be  given  to  each  square  yard  in  impoverished 
soil,  assisting  its  passage  downwards,  if  needed,  with  a  pointed  iron  rod. 
We  have  never  seen  exhausted  fruit  trees  so  quickly  improved  as  by 
generous  applications  of  strong,  but  not  too  strong,  liquid  manure  at 
this  period  of  the  year,  and  our  experience  is  founded  on  the  use  of  tens 
of  thousands  of  gallons. 
Iff oise  in  Saddle  Soilers  {Inquirer). — Are  you  ture  the  valves 
are  fully  open,  and,  further,  that  the  outlet  is  not  impeded  by  furring? 
If  the  water  cannot  circulate  freely  through  the  pipes  there  is  bound  to 
be  “  rattling  and  bumping  ”  somewhere.  Air  not  infrequently  obstructs 
the  circulation,  and  in  this  case  all  defects  in  the  matter  of  air  pipes 
should  be  remedied.  Hard  firing  with  violent  boiling  of  the  water  is  a 
great  evil,  the  remedy  for  which  is  not  a  quicker  boiler,  but  more  piping, 
arranged  to  insure  a  smooth,  unobstructed  flow  of  water  through  the 
circuit.  Pipes  which  have  to  be  very  highly  heated,  necessitating  hard 
firing,  results  in  costly  expenditure  for  fuel  and  an  increase  of  insects. 
The  most  extensive  and  successful  growers  of  produce  under  glass  for 
market  take  care  to  have  an  abundant  supply  of  piping.  Some  persons 
might  think  the  provision  in  that  respect  excessive,  but  it  is  not,  or  it 
would  not  be  provided.  We  were  in  a  supply  establishment  the  other 
day  in  which  eighty  miles  of  piping  are  employed  to  afford  the  necessary 
amount  of  heat  in  the  best  and  most  economical  manner.  The  boilers 
you  mention  are  employed  for  heating  the  water,  and  coke  is  used  as  fuel. 
Chrysanthemums  {Henri). — We  have  not  received  any  list  from 
you.  If  you  furnish  the  list,  repeating  your  desire,  also  enclose  a 
stamped  directed  envelope,  the  matter  shall  have  attention.  You  had 
better  state  the  number  you  wish  to  retain.  Selections  of  new  varieties 
will  shortly  appear  in  our  columns  in  a  form  that  will  meet  your  require¬ 
ments,  in  common  with  those  of  many  Chrysanthemum  growers  who  wish 
to  be  up  to  date  in  the  matter. 
Chemical  Manure  for  I>lght  Peaty  Soil  {D.). — For  dressing 
kitchen  garden  crops  and  fruit  trees  outside  a  nitrogenic,  phosphatic, 
and  potaesic  mixture  would  be  most  desirable  for  use  with  the  growing 
crop,  such  as  superphosphate,  3  parts  or  lbs.  ;  muriate  of  potash,  2  parts ; 
nitrate  of  soda,  1  part,  mixed,  the  nitrate  of  soda  being  crushed  fine, 
and  in  applying  keeping  the  mixture  from  the  plants — that  is,  not 
sprinkling  it  on  the  foliage.  About  4  ozs.  may  be  supplied  per  square 
yard  at  the  time  of  setting  plants  or  sowing,  and  afterwards  as  required. 
For  fruit  trees  apply  when  the  trees  are  swelling  their  buds  in  the 
spring,  and  again,  if  necessary,  sbortly  after  the  fruit  is  set,  or  when  it 
is  seen  that  the  crop  is  assured.  This  dressing,  lbs.  per  rod, 
is  sufficiently  strong  for  even  poor  soil  ;  therefore,  if  you  use  solid 
manure,  or  the  land  is  in  good  order,  supply  half  the  amount  early  in 
the  spring,  and  the  other  half  when  the  crops  are  assured  and 
commencing  to  swell.  The  better  plan  for  such  soil  is  to  supply  basic 
phosphate  in  the  early  winter,  using  7  lb3.  of  it  per  rod  (30|-  square 
yards),  and  half  that  amount  of  kainit,  digging:  or  pointing  in 
moderately,  and  in  the  spring  when  the  trees  commence  growing  or 
crops  are  sown  or  planted  supply  2  lbs.  per  rod  of  nitrate  of  soda,  and 
if  the  crops  are  heavy  apply  a  similar  dressing  when  about  a  quarter 
grown,  not  deferring  it  later  in  the  case  of  any  crop,  and  keeping  it 
from  the  foliage  or  hearts  of  the  plants. 
Diseased  Gros  Colman  Grapes  (IF.  G.). — The  large  (over  an 
inch  in  diameter)  berries  bear  the  glaucous  tufts  or  spots  of  the  very 
common  fungus  named  Aspergillus  glaucus,  Link,  which  is  found  on 
fruit,  branches,  leaves,  and  all  kinds  of  decaying  organic  matter,  including 
preserves.  It  is  the  conidial  condition  of  Eurotium  herbariorum. 
The  conidia  are  globose,  slightly  asperulate,  hyaline,  then  glaucous,  and 
very  small.  The  fungus  is  considered  saprophytic,  but  connected  with 
disease  in  various  living  vegetable  forms,  the  over-growth  inducing 
putrefaction  and  decay,  possibly  by  a  secretion  rather  than  by  direct 
invasion  of  the  tissues  by  the  mycelial  hypbas.  The  cause  of  the  attack 
of  the  fungus  is  damp,  probably  a  slight  drip  from  the  roof  on  the 
bunch,  the  water  causing  the  decay  or  weakening  of  the  cuticle,  and 
thus  forming  a  nidus  in  which  the  spores  have  developed.  Owing  to 
the  imperfect  colour  of  the  berries  the  cuticle  would  be  readily  affected 
by  the  damp — the  drops  of  water  imperceptible  to  the  unaided  eye,  and 
in  these  theispores  would  certainly  develop,  thus  destroying  the  cuticle  by 
the  production  of  hypbae  and  accelerating  the  decay  of  the  tissues. 
The  “  blackness  ”  on  the  stem  is  caused  by  tufts  of  sclerotia,  for  these 
bodies  are  the  resting  stage  of  the  fungus,  and  from  which  spring  the 
perfect  condition.  You  may  dress  the  Vine  when  quite  dormant  with  a 
solution  of  sulphate  of  copper,  1  oz.  to  1|-  gallon  of  water,  for  arresting 
the  growths  pushing  from  the  spores,  and  so  prevent  reproduction. 
Diseased  Fish  {Gardener) — The  fish  are  probably  infested  with 
some  fungoid  disease,  the  most  common  belonging  to  the  genera 
Mouospora  and  Saprolegnia,  species  of  the  latter  being  very  fatal  to 
salmon  and  trout,  which  probably  ingest  the  micro-organisms  in  such 
low  forms  of  water-insects  (so-called)  as  the  water-flea  (Daphne  pulex) 
or  directly  draw  the  parasites  in  as  zoospores  by  the  gills.  All  the 
diseased  specimens  we  have  examined  have  evidently  been  suffocated  by 
the  growth  of  the  fungal  threads  in  the  body  of  the  host,  and  this  “  takes 
on  ”  as  you  describe — that  is,  the  infested  fish  rise  to  the  surface  as  if 
animals  in  quest  of  atmospheric  air,  rush  about  as  if  in  pain,  and  in  the 
course  of  a  day  or  two  they  become  listless,  turning  upon  their  side  and 
die.  The  slime  to  which  you  allude  is  probably  one  of  the  fresh  water 
Algae,  but  we  are  not  aware  that  any  of  these  are  parasitic  (of  course 
fungi  are  merely  Algae  become  devoid  of  chlorophyll)  or  so  grow  in  water 
as  to  interfere  with  fish-life  generally.  We  found  nothing  avail  against 
the  parasite  but  removing  the  fish  and  keeping  them  in  clear  pond  water, 
removing  every  diseased  specimen  as  soon  as  it  began  to  show  signs  of  the 
disease,  meanwhile  cleaning  out  the  pond,  which  in  our  case  was  full  of 
the  freshwater  Alga,  common  in  ponds  supplied  chiefly  by  surface  water, 
and  known  as  Cladophora.  Against  this  pest  we  have  not  found  any¬ 
thing  better  than  common  ducks,  which  may  not  eat  it  as  they  do  duck¬ 
weed,  but  they  so  break  it  up  by  passing  through  their  mandibles  for  the 
crustaceans  lurking  in  it  as  to  prevent  its  growth,  and  the  fish  then 
get  a  chance  of  ingesting  sweet  wholesome  food.  Both  ducka  and  Prussian 
carp  seem  to  be  unaffected  by  the  micro-organisms,  and  the  fish  put  in 
afterwards  usually  thrive.  We  do  not  know  of  anything  that  may  be  put 
in  the  water  that  would  destroy  the  fungus  without  killing  the  fish.  The 
best  way  is  to  stamp  out  the  disease  in  the  manner  described,  and 
re-stock  with  perfectly  healthy  specimens.  Cementing  the  pond  would 
be  inimical  to  the  fish  if  they  were  put  in  soon  afterwards,  on  account  of 
the  water  being  more  or  less  inpregnated  with  calcium  (lime),  but  after 
it  had  become  set,  and  there  being  none  of  it  scattered  about,  the  water 
would  be  little  affected.  The  cement,  however,  seems  to  encourage  the 
Algae,  we  having  more  than  once  found  the  water  slimy  after  repairing 
ponds,  hut  we  had  no  difficulty  after  keeping  a  few  waterfowl,  which 
1  are  a  great  attraction. 
