June  20,  1901. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER . 
527 
course  very  materially.  Even  with  this  privilege  I  have  come  to 
regard  an  August  sowing  of  Erfurt  Mammoth  or  Early  London  as  a 
necessitous  speculation ;  if  they  fail  from  untoward  nature  of  the 
elements  they  do  not  cost  much  in  seeds  or  labour,  and  should  there 
be  no  premature  bolting,  or  blanks  from  the  action  of  the  winter’s 
frost  and  rain,  then  the  crop  advances  in  value  and  satisfaction  to  all 
concerned.  These  earliest  Cauliflowers  come  at  a  time  when  Broccoli 
is  at  a  discount ;  when,  too,  the  season  is  emerging  from  the  winter’s 
supply  into  that  of  summer,  and  the  height  of  garden  ideals  are  reached 
by  employer  and  gardener  alike.  Without  an  adequate  water  supply 
the  weather  at  the  time  of  writing  afforded  an  anxious  time  for  many, 
not  only  in  the  growth  of  the  early  Cauliflower,  but  almost  every 
other  crop  beside.  The  rainfall  for  the  year  is  sadly  deficient,  and 
accompanied  by  such  tropical  heat  and  drying  winds,  the  energies  of 
plant  growth  is  sorely  taxed.  Erfurt  Mammoth,  though  a  good  one 
in  normal  weather,  “  buttons  ”  readily  in  a  small  state  in  dry,  hot 
weather. — W.  S. 
— - <-#-♦ - 
Disease  in  Tulip  Bnlbs, 
We  have  had  so  many  queries  about  diseases  of  Tulips,  and  infested 
bulbs  have  been  so  frequently  sent  during  this  year,  that  the  following 
reply,  intended  specially  for  “  W.  C.,”  may  be  read  and  studied  by 
other  growers  whose  bulbs  have  been  poorly.  These  fungoid  diseases 
are  all  combatable  by  the  measures  here  recommended. 
The  bulbs  are  infested  by  the  Tulip  mould  fungus  (Solerotinea 
parasitica),  which,  in  recent  years,  has  often  killed  cultivated  Tulips. 
The  bulb  is  first  attacked,  and  as  the  growth  or  flower  stem  pushes 
from  the  neck  it  is  often  seized  by  the  parasite,  and  the  progress  of  the 
disease  so  rapid  and  virulent  as  to  completely  arrest  the  appearance  of 
the  stem  above  ground.  In  consequence  of  the  decay  thus  set  up  the 
disease  spreads  downwards,  and  the  bulb  gradually  rots,  though  not, 
perhaps,  entirely  until  one  or  more  small  bulblets  are  formed  at  the 
base  of  the  old  bulb,  and  these,  in  several  instances  that  have  come 
under  our  observation,  are  not  affected  by  the  disease.  The  usual  mode 
of  attack  is,  as  in  “  W.  C.’s  ”  case,  in  the  stem,  the  leaves  rotting  off 
when  about  2  inches  above  the  soil,  some  bulbs  or  plants  being  affected, 
whilst  others  adjoining  are  not  infected,  though  in  most  oases  the 
disease  occurs  in  patches  of  affected  plants,  thus  indicating  that  it 
spreads  from  diseased  to  healthy  bulbs.  In  certain  cases  the  mould 
only  affects  the  parts  above  ground,  diseased  spots  or  patches  appearing 
on  the  stems,  leaves,  and  flowers  ;  but  in  not  a  few  instances  it  attacks 
the  flowers  whilst  in  bud,  and  they  become  what  is  termed  “  blind,” 
withered,  and  dead,  and  the  result  is  the  plants  do  not  bloom.  The 
chief  attack,  however,  is  on  the  bulb,  sometimes,  though  not  commonly, 
at  the  base,  frequently  at  the  side,  and  generally  at  or  near  the  neck. 
A  careful  examination  of  affected  bulbs  reveals  the  mould-forming, 
olive  brown,  or,  in  the  early  stages,  olive  green,  minute  velvety  patches, 
which  correspond  to  the  conidial,  or  early  form  of  fruiting,  the 
conidiospores  bearing  innumerable  conidia  or  spores,  which,  carried 
by  wind,  or  rain,  or  soil-water,  inoculate  other  bulbs  in  the  locality. 
This  form  of  the  fungus  has  been  given  the  name  of  Botrytis  parasitica. 
At  a  later  stage  smooth  lentil  or  kidney -shaped  solerotia,  at  first  grey, 
then  black,  appear,  mostly  in  the  outer  parts  of  the  bulb,  and  are 
sometimes  so  numerous  as  to  form  black  crusts.  Besides  these,  other 
solerotia  are  formed  in  the  soil  cloEe  to  the  affeoted  bulb  or  bulbs,  and 
thus  there  is  danger  of  infecting  subsequent  bulbs  planted  where 
diseased  ones  have  previously  been  grown. 
We  arrive,  from  the  foregoing  data,  at  the  deductions  (1),  That  the 
bulbs  may  be  affeoted  by  the  disease  when  planted  ;  (2),  The  solerotia 
from  diseased  bulbs  may  remain  in  the  soil,  and  the  new  bulbs  planted 
therein  be  infeoted  therefrom ;  and  (3),  the  disease  spreads  from  diseased 
bulbs  to  apparently  quite  healthy  plants  in  the  vicinity  by  means  of 
the  dispersal  of  the  Botrytis  spores. 
In  the  matter  of  preventive  means  the  bulbs  intended  for  planting 
should  be  carefully  examined,  and  if  the  outer  scales  contain  deoayed 
parts  on  which  there  is  an  olive  green  mould,  or  even  black  specks, 
they  should  either  be  rejected  or  treated  overnight  in  a  solution  of 
formalin,  1  part  in  400  parts  water,  but  the  better  plan  is  to  reject  the 
bulbs.  When  the  mould  is  observed  the  plant  should  be  taken  up  and 
burned  to  prevent  the  formation  of  the  sclerotia.  The  soil  where  the 
diseased  bulbs  appeared  should  be  dressed  with  quicklime,  1  lb.  per 
square  yard,  slaking  with  the  smallest  amount  of  water  necessary  to 
cause  disintegration  to  dry  powder,  spreading  whilst  hot,  and  then 
leaving  on  the  surface  a  few  days  before  pointing  in,  then  taking  small 
spits,  so  as  to  mix  the  lime  evenly  with  the  soil.  A  dry  time  should  be 
selected  for  applying  the  lime,  and  if  on  ground  where  bedding  plants 
have  followed  the  diseased  Tulips  as  soon  as  the  beds  are  cleared, 
allowing  a  month  or  six  weeks  to  elapse  before  planting  the  Tulips. 
Probably  the  fungus  leads  a  saprophytio  mode  of  life  before  passing  to 
the  parasitic,  hence  the  lime  destroys  the  former  or  hastens  the  decay  of 
organio  matter  in  a  dead  state  in  the  soil,  sweetening  this  and  also 
acting  as  a  direct  food  whilst  rendering  other  elements  more  readily 
available.  It  is  well  to  bear  in  mind  that  the  debris  of  plants,  even  if 
only  roots,  become  food  for  saprophytic  fungi,  and  cultivators  have 
observed  that  the  application  of  green  manure,  and  also  of  partially 
decayed  leaf  mould  and  cocoa-nut  fibre  refuse  as  a  top-dressing,  causes 
Tulips  and  other  plants  to  become  diseased.  This  is  probably  due  to 
the  decaying  somewhat  raw  material  affording  a  congenial  matrix  for 
spores  and  sclerotia  present  in  the  ground,  in  which  they  reproduce 
themselves  rapidly,  and  in  the  spring,  when  the  young  stems  push 
through  the  soil  and  top-dressing,  inoculation  is  almost  certain  to  take 
place.  Instead  of  using  such  material  recourse  should  be  had  to  artificial 
fertilisers,  especially  such  as  basic  cinder  phosphate  and  kainit,  after¬ 
wards  accelerating  growth  by  light  dressings  of  finely  orushed  nitrate 
of  soda. 
- 4*m*¥ - 
Societies. 
Royal  Horticultural— Drill  Rail,  June  18tR. 
The  Drill  Hall  on  the  occasion  of  the  last  meeting  was  almost 
entirely  devoted  to  groups  of  hardy  flowers,  especially  Pseonies.  Cut 
sprays  of  shrubs  also  formed  a  feature.  Roses  were  beautiful  and 
numerous.  At  three  o’clock  Lt.-Col.  J.  Wheatley  lectured  on  “  Garden¬ 
ing  in  London  Parks.”  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  occupied  the 
chair;  and  after  the  new  Fellows  were  elected,  he  mentioned  that 
585  have  been  elected  this  year. 
Fruit  and  Vegetable  Committee. 
Present  ;  Jos.  Cheal,  Esq.  (in  the  chair) ;  with  Messrs.  Henry 
Esling,  H.  Marsham,  S.  Mortimer,  Alex.  Dean,  E.  Beckett,  Geo.  Keif, 
M.  Gleeson,  A.  Ward,  F.  Q.  Lane,  J.  Smith,  Geo.  Wythes,  W.  Poupart, 
James  H.  Veitch,  H.  Balderson,  H.  Somers  Rivers,  and  J.  W.  Bates. 
Fruit  was  rather  more  prominent  than  usual.  Messrs.  Laxton  Bros., 
Bedford,  showed  a  number  of  fruits  of  their  new  Strawberry,  The 
Laxton.  It  has  much  of  the  character  of  Royal  Sovereign,  but  is 
superior  to  that  established  favourite  in  having  a  firmer  flesh  of  finer 
flavour,  and  is  of  a  much  darker,  brighter  colour ;  the  flavour  is  brisk 
and  pleasant.  The  parents  were  Royal  Sovereign  and  Sir  Joseph 
Paxton.  Mr.  A.  J.  Harwood,  St.  Peter’s  Street,  Colchester,  staged  five 
bundles  of  Asparagus ;  the  produce  was  very  heavy,  and  carried  a  fair 
edible  proportion.  Mr.  W.  Howe,  gardener  to  Lady  A.  Tate,  Park  Hill, 
Streatham,  contributed  a  box  of  Brown  Turkey  Figs ;  the  fruits  were 
magnificent,  and  illustrated  the  very  best  culture.  Mrs.  McCreagh- 
Thornhill,  Stanton-in-Peak,  Bakewell,  sent  three  plates  of  grand 
Lemons,  and  several  growers  showed  Melons  (silver  Banksian  medal). 
Floral  Committee. 
Present  :  Chas.  E.  Shea,  Esq.  (in  the  chair)  ;  with  Messrs.  Chas.  T. 
Druery,  H.  B.  May,  R.  Dean,  J.  W.  Barr,  J.  Jennings,  A.  F.  Barnes, 
Wm.  Howe,  W.  Bain,  G.  R.  Fielder,  H.  Selfe-Leonard,  J.  D.  Pawle, 
Chas.  Dixon,  E.  T.  Cook,  W.  P.  Thomson,  Chas.  E.  Pearson,  H.  J. 
Jones,  J.  H.  Fitt,  E.  H.  Jenkins,  Wm.  J.  James,  Geo.  Paul,  Chas.  Bliok, 
Ed.  Mawley,  Jas.  Hudson,  and  Rev.  F.  Page-Roberts. 
Messrs.  B.  R.  Davis  &  Sons,  Begonia  growers,  the  Yeovil  Nurseries, 
Yeovil,  Somerset,  staged  magnificent  cut  blooms  of  double  and  single 
tuberous  Begonias.  The  best  were  Catullus,  crimson  ;  Orion,  scarlet ; 
Miss  Griffith,  pale  creamy  blush  ;  Hecla,  deep  brilliant  orimson-scarlet ; 
Hilda,  salmon  pink ;  and  Mrs.  Stothert,  an  exceedingly  fine  pale  oream 
coloured  variety.  Cut  sprays  of  showy  ornamental  flowering  shrubs 
came  from  Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons;  the  Golden  Elder  was  finer 
than  ever  we  have  seen  it,  and  Philadelphus  Lemoinei  Gerbe  de  Neige, 
together  with  Magnolia  Watsoni,  Csesalpina  japonica,  and  Solanum 
crispum,  a  showy  species.  They  also  showed  a  massive  collection  of 
Pseonies,  and  a  group  of  their  climbing  Rose  Electra.  Messrs.  Barr  and 
Sons,  King  Street,  Covent  Garden,  also  staged  a  large  and  beautiful 
group  of  Pseonies  and  Spanish  Irises. 
Messrs.  R.  H.  Bath,  Ltd.,  Wisbech,  were  also  forward  with  Paeonies, 
and  staged  one  of  the  loveliest  and  best  collections.  We  can  only 
draw  attention  to  the  following — Lady  Carrington,  Grandiflora  nivea, 
Sydonie,  Auguste  Mieller,  Canarie,  Mons.  Boucharlet,  Ceres,  Saturnalia, 
nivea  plenissima,  and  Madame  Bucquet.  Messrs.  Paul  &  Son,  The 
Old  Nurseries,  Cheshunt,  staged  a  grand  exhibit  of  garden  Roses; 
and  from  Mr.  Amos  Perry.  Winohmore  Hill,  N.,  came  some  choice 
hardy  plants.  Messrs.  T.  S.  Ware,  Ltd.,  of  Hale  Farm  Nurseries, 
Feltham,  had  hardy  flowers,  including  Veronica  amethystina,  Campanula 
persicifolia  Moerhumi,  Delphinium  chinensis,  Inoarvillea  Delevayi, 
Heuchera  eanguinea,  and  numerons  first-rate  border  plants. 
Regal  Pelargoniums  and  the  hybrid  varieties  from  Ivy-leaved  and 
Zonal  crosses,  together  with  such  fine  double  tuberous  BegoniaB  as 
Arthur  Wainwright,  orimson  ;  Mrs.  H.  J.  Jones,  rosy  pink,  magnificent; 
Thirza  Cherry,  glowing  crimson  scarlet;  and  Miss  8.  Carnegie,  one  of 
the  leading  Picotee  varieties,  were  arranged  by  Mr.  H.  J.  Jones, 
Ryecroft  Nursery,  Lewisham.  Messrs.  J.  Peed  &  Sons,  Roupell  Park 
Nurseries,  Norwood  Road,  S.E.,  brought  forward  a  choice  selection  of 
named  Pyrethrums  and  other  hardy  plants.  (Enothera  rosea  was  here, 
also  Dianthus  neglectus,  D.  Lady  Fitzharding,  a  pink  variety,  earlier 
than  Early  Blush,  besides  many  other  choice  things. 
A  wonderful  collection  of  Violas  exhibited  in  bunches  was  sent  by 
Messrs.  Dobbie  &  Co.,  Rothesay,  N.B.  The  varieties  were  arranged  on 
a  black  velvet  background,  others  being  on  exhibition  boards.  Amongst 
