DAFFODILS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 19 November 1920, Page 4

DAFFODILS.

EEL-WORM DISEASE. For some time ii has been known that bulbs were getting diseased, and the English authorities have been offering considerable inducements to forward the work of finding our something that will either cure ir. or prevent it spreading. la the first pdaee it was found out that cel-woim was at the bottom of the trouble, ami unless this was got rid off nothing could redone. A correspondent from the South Island says:—“The cure for ccl-wovni has given a fresh impetus to the cult, and growers here are tilled to the full with enthusiasm over it." —For the information of those who have had trouble with their bulbs we give the remedy here. Perchloride of mereuiy (corrosive subblimate), one part in three thousand part- of water. The beds should be watered three times during the growing season with the solution. First, before coming into dower: -ccQ'-d. when in full flower: ’bird, as soon as the flowering is tini I - ed. In all care: the application should be made after rain, or alter the bedhave been well watered. After applying. the. plant should be lightly watered to wash the chemical off the foliage. For the first application a quarter el an ounce of nitrate of soda should be crushed and added to each gallon of solution. For the second application the nitrate should be increased to three-eighths of an ounce to each gallon, the- third being as for first Each gallon of solution should be enough for sixteen feet of surface. After each application the beds should be well hoed to prevent evaporation. Keep the solution well stirred. The rear-cn for adding the -nitrate is that* the roots will not take up the nitrate

with perchloride in solution. This remedy is considered by Barr and ilon to destroy the cel-worm in the leaves, stem the bulb, and to be a complete cure. The solution without the nitrate can be used for sterilising the soil of eel-worm if the fallow soil is watered with some time previous to planting. Perchloride of mercury soliods (5.75) can be obtained from chemists, each soliod being sufiicio.i; to give one part in three thousand to three pints of water. These should be crushed and dissolved in a little water before being added to the full quantity. X.B. —Perchloride of mercury is a virulent poison.