August  21,  1902. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
189 
CLEMATIS  JACKMANNI  GROWTHS  DYING  OFF 
(Wyvern,  Twickenham). — The  cause  of  Clematis  groivths  dying 
off  has  not  been  satisfactorily  explained,  but  it  usually  occurs 
on  recently  planted-cut  plants,  and  probably  arises  from  their 
being  planted  too  deeply,  or  deeper  than  they  were  before, 
thus  affecting  the  portion  of  buried  stem  prejudicially,  softening 
and  destroying  the  stem,  though  this  is  usually  effected  by  a 
fungus,  Pleospora  herbarum  var.  Altcrnarise,  seldom,  if  ever, 
observed  in  plants  of  quite  a  healthy  appearance,  but  it  un¬ 
doubtedly  exerts  its  influence  some  time  before  it  is  externally 
visible.  In  this  period  the  Clematis  tissues  become  penetrated 
by  the  colourless,  branched  mycelium  of  the  fungus.  On  this 
mycelium,  near  and  cn  the  surface  of  the  plant,  are  formed  the 
conidia,  succeeded  by  the  pycnidia  and  the  perithecia  conditions. 
Tho  affected  growths  become  yellowish  green,  then  pale  brown, 
and  alternately  black,  the  collapse  being  from  the  top,  and 
gradually  dwindling  away.  The  best  preventive  of  this  is  not 
to  plant  deeper  than  the  plants  have,  been  before,  and  sprinkle 
cn  the  ground  about  the  plant  air-slaked  lime  liberally,  as  well 
as  adding  tc-  the  soil  before  planting  a  dressing  of  21b  air-slaked 
lime  per  square  yard,  and  mixing  well  with  the  soil  a  spit 
deep.  As  young  growths  spring  up  from  the  root  it  is  certain 
the  disease  is  a  stem  affection,  hence  we  have  found  it  good 
practice  to  remove  the  soil  from  about  the  stems  down  to  where 
they  spring  from  the  rootstock,  and  leave  them  bare  until  they 
become  thoroughly  hardened,  and,  when  this  is  effected,  replace 
the  soil. 
HOW  TO  MAKE  MUSHROOM  SPAWN  IN  BRICKS 
(J.  E.  K.,  .Carlisle). — Cultivators  of  Mushrooms  sometimes 
prepare  their  own  brick  spawn,  but  only  a  very  few  as  compared 
with  those  who  purchase  it.  One  of  the  modes  of  preparation 
is  briefly  as  follows  :  Fresh  horse  droppings  are  collected  and 
mixed  with  fresh  cow  dung  in  equal  proportions,  adding  a  little 
adhesive  lcam  to  hold  the  other  constituents  together.  The 
whole  is  mixed  with  liquid  stable  manure  until  as  soft  as  mortar, 
when  it  is  spread  . on  the  floor  of  an  open  shed  until  sufficiently 
dried  to  form  into  bricks  of  9in  long,  Gin  wide,  and  2in  deep, 
there  being  sixteen  of  these  to  the  bushel.  These  should  be 
set  on  edge,  turned  frequently,  and  allowed  to  get  about  half¬ 
dry.  Then  a  hole  is  made  about  2in  from  the  end  of  each  brick 
in  one  side,  about  an  inch  square  and  deep,  and  filled  with  a 
piece  of  good  spawn,  enclosing  it  with  a  little  of  a  similar  sub¬ 
stance,  the  spawn  being  inserted  so  deep  as  to  be  a  little  below 
the  surface  of  the  brick.  Prepare  a  bed  of  fresh,  but  sweetened, 
horse  dung,  about  9in  thick,  on  a  dry  bottom,  and  build  the 
bricks  in  a  pile  above  it,  allowing  a  space  between  each  two, 
and  ccver  with  litter,  so  as  to  retain  a  temperature  underneath 
of  GOdeg,  above  which  the  heat  should  not  rise,  and  if  likely  to 
do  so  the  covering  must  be1  reduced  accordingly.  Under  such 
conditions,  the  spawn  will  spread  itself  throughout  the  whole 
of  each  brick,  affcl  the  latter  must  be  frequently  examined  and 
removed  when  they  are  permeated  by  a  white  cloudy  substance, 
not  so  far  advanced  as  to  show  minute  threads.  When  removed 
from  the  hotbed,  the  drying  process  should  be  completed 
thoroughly,  and  the  bricks  stored  in  a  cool,  dry  place,  to  arrest 
any  further  development  of  the  spawn,  until  required  for  use. 
BUNCH  OF  GRAPES  WITH  DISEASED  BERRIES  (Nemo, 
North  Wales). — The  berries  are  affected  by  what  is  known  as 
spot,  which  first  appears  as  a  small,  irregular  whitish  mark  on 
the  side  of  the'  berry,  as  if  it  had  been  bruised  in  some  way ;  the 
pulp  dries  up,  and  a  sort  of  contraction  occurs,  the  berry  soon 
assuming  a  one-sided  irregular  form.  It  is  caused  by  the  fungus 
named  Glceosporium  fructigenum  var.  leeticolor,  and  may  be  pre¬ 
vented  by  spraying  with  ammoniaeai  solution  of  copper  carbonate, 
made  by  forming  loz  of  copper  carbonate  into  a  thin  paste 
by  adding  six  fluid  ounces  of  water,  then  pouring  on  slowly 
twelve  fluid  ounces  of  aqua  ammonia,  26deg  strength,  and,  when 
dissolved,  add  nine  gallons  of  water,  when  a  clear  deep  blue 
solution  is  obtained.  It  is  also  effective  against  mildew,  dis¬ 
tributing  in  the  finest  possible  spray,  and  so  as  to  coat  the  foliage 
and  fruit  with  the  finest  possible  film ;  and,  to  be  effective, 
must  be  applied  in  advance,  of  attack.  The  berries  are  also 
affected  with  scalding,  and  both  this  and  spot  are  prevented 
by  careful  atteutioh  to  the  ventilation,  spot  being  induced  by 
having  the  house  very  close  and  moist,  and  then,  suddenly,  on 
seme  bright  morning,  admitting  the  external  cold  air  too  freely 
and  too  abundantly.  Albeit,  it  is  the  closeness  and  moisture 
that  lias  done  the  mischief,  by  the  moisture  condensed  on  the 
berries,  weakening  the  cuticle  and  accelerating  the  germination 
and  entrance  of  the  fungoid  growths.  As  the  berries  are  worst 
affected  on  the  north  side  of  the  house,  we  consider  the  spot 
and  also  the  scalding  arises  through  late  or  imperfect  ventilation 
on  some  bright  sunny  morning,  whilst  the  internal  atmosphere, 
and  even  the  berries,  are  saturated  with  moisture.  We  do  not 
consider  you  will  gain  anything  by  removing  the  Vines  cn  the 
north  side  of  the  house  and  replacing  by  new  ones,  unless  the 
roots  or  border  is  not  satisfactory.  Give  more  air,  and  earlier, 
even  a  little  at  night,  and  maintain  a  gentle  warmth  in  the 
hot-water  pipes,  so  as  to  promote  a  circulation  of  air ;  then,  we 
consider,  all  would  be  well,  other  conditions  being  favourable. 
COVENT  GARDEN  AGENT  (P.  W.  N.). — We  have  placed 
your  communication  in  the  hands  of  an  agent. 
UNITED  STATES’  GARDENING  PAPERS  (Thos.  Field).— 
The  horticultural  journals  of  the  United  States  known  to  us  are 
mainly  devoted  to  the  commercial  side  of  gardening.  “  American 
Gardening,”  however,  is  a  journal  for  the  private  and  amateur 
gardeners.  The  addreos  of  it  is  136,  Liberty  Street,  New  York 
City ;  five  cents  per  copy,  or  two  dollars  yearly  to  Europe. 
“  The  American  Florist  ”  is. published  from  324,  Dearborn  Street', 
Chicago,  by  the  American  Florist  Company.  Subscription  :  two 
dollars  per  year  to  Europe.  “  The  Florists’  Exchange  ”  (two 
dollars  to  Europe  per  annum)  comes  from  2,  4,  6,  and  8,  Duane 
Street,  New  York  City.  There  are  others  of  less  importance 
also  published. 
NAMES  OF  PLANTS. — Correspondents  whose  queries  are  un¬ 
answered  in  the  present  issue  are  respectfully  requested  to  consult  the 
following  number.  (A.  J.  M.). — The  blue  papery-like  flower  is  Statiee 
profusa.  Send  the  Fuchsias  to  some  large;  trade  grower ;  we  cannot 
name  them.  (R.  B.). — 1.  Veronica  longifolia  inearnata  ;  2,  Campanula 
persieifolia  alba;  3,  C.  elegans  ;  4,  C.  latifolia.  (J.  B.). — 1.  Veronica 
longifolia  subsessilis ;  2,  Rhapiolepis  japoniea;  3.  Tradescantia  virgin- 
iana  var. ;  4.  Limnanthes  DoUglasi ;  5,  Hordeum  murinum,  the  Wall 
Barley.  (J.  G.). — 1.  Scotch  Rose,  Rosa  spinosissima.  (Alf.).-e-l, 
Galega  officinalis;  2,  Pratia  angulata  ;  3,  Strobilanthes  Dyerianus ;  4, 
Miscanthus  japonicus  zebrinus ;  5,  Eulalia  japoniea ;  6,  Codipeum 
(Croton)  Johannis.  (Wj  IL). — 1,  Tway-blade,  Listera  ovata ;  2, 
Ballota  nigra  ;  3,  Solan.um  dulcamara  ;  4,  Solanum  nigrum,  the  fruits 
turn  black  ;  5,  C'repis' A’irens  6.  Sonehus  oleraceus.  (F.).  1,  Lychnis 
eoronaria ;  2,  Eryhgium,  Oljyerianum  ;  3,  E.  giganteum  ;  4,  Phlomis 
viscosa.  (A.  M.,  “mfrirngshire). — They  are  varieties  of  Begonia 
semperflorens.  (F.  T .  /  WT 1 1 6's  p  e  c  i  e  s  Negundo  aceroides. 
- »  »»Q»  » 
Ji  1  r 
Trade  Catalogues  Received. 
W.  Baylor  HartlandyCork.— Daffodils  and  ■  Tulips. 
William  Clibran  &  Son,  Oldfield  Nurseries,  Altrincham. — B'ulbs. 
Cooper,  Taber  &  Co.,  Ltd.,  Seed  Merchants.  90  and  92,  Southwark 
Street,  London,  S.E. —  Wholesale  Bulb .  Catalogue. 
William  Cutbush  &  Son,  Highgate  Nurseries,  London,  N. — 1,  Bulbs, 
Plants  for  forcing ;  2,  Carnations ;  3,  Strawberry  List. 
Dickson  &  Robinson,  Manchester. — Bulbs  and  Roses. 
Dicksons’,  1,  Waterloo  Place,  Edinburgh.— Blower  Roots. 
H.  P.  Kelsay,  Boston,  Mass.,  U.S.A. — American  Plants  and  Bulls. 
Wm.  Paul  &  Son,  Waltham  Cross,  Herts. — Bulbs,  Camellias,  Shrubs 
for  forcing,  etc. 
J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons,  Chilwell  Nurseries,  Lowdham,  Notts. — Bulbs 
and  Garden  Requisites. 
John  Peed  &  Son,  West  Norwood,  London,  S.E. — Bulbs. 
L.  Spiith,  Baumschule,  Baumschulenweg,  Berlin. — Bulbs. 
L.  Spae-Vandermeulem.  Exotic  Nursery,  92,  Boulevard  de  Jardin 
Zoologique,  Ghent,  Belgium. — Palms  and  other  Foliage  Plants. 
Toogood  &  Sons,  Southampton. — Bulbs. 
Vilmorin,  Andrieux  &  Co.,  4,  Quai  de  la  Megisserie,  Paris. — Bulbs  and 
Strawberries. 
Webb  &  Sons.  Wordsley,  Stourbridge. — Bulbs. 
Seasonable  Notes. 
So  Professor  Wrightson  heads  his  interesting  weekly 
paper  in  the  “Agricultural  Gazette,”  and  he  manages  in 
these  papers  to  touch  on  much  useful  matter.  We  would 
follow  in  his  steps,  but  far  behind.  A  friend,  a  farmer  of 
long  standing,  is  troubling  himself  sadly  on  the  subject  of 
parasites  ;  he  thinks  during  a  long  tenancy  they  may  despoil 
a  man  of  thousands.  There  have  always  been  parasites  ; 
it  is  part  of  the  primeval  curse.  Farming  would  be  too  easy 
without  these  drawbacks.  We  read  of  the  locust,  the  cater¬ 
pillar,  the  canker  worm,  the  palmer  worm,  the  moth,  the 
lice,  and  grasshopper.  These  were  the  plagues  that  deva¬ 
stated  the  crops  of  the  Chosen  People.  We  think  now  we 
can  add  much  to  the  list.  Possibly  they  existed  then,  but 
through  want  of  knowledge  they  were  not  detected.  Wheat, 
Mangold,  and  wireworm.  What  is  the  cause  of  such  an  out¬ 
cry  this  season  'I  The  wireworm  appears  to  be  more  to  the 
fore  than  ever.  We  see  one  reason  suggested,  and  it  sounds 
to  us  a  reasonable  one.  As  things  are  now,  the  Wheat  crop 
