ad come
in for a great deal the worst of the fight, although I had made use of
every agent I could imagine as being likely to aid me, and all that
many competent friends could suggest. But lately I was reminded of
Condy's patent fluid, diluted with water, and at once procured a
bottle of the green quality, and applied it in the proportion of a
large tablespoonful to one quart of water, and upon examining the
plants dressed, twelve hours afterwards, was delighted to find it had
effectually destroyed the disease (which is easily discernible, as
when it is living and thriving it is of a light grey colour, but when
killed it becomes of a rusty black). Further to test the power at
which the plant was capable of bearing the antidote without injury, I
used it double the strength. This dose was instant death to the pest,
leaving no trace of any injury to the foliage. As to its application,
I advocate sponging in all dressings of this description. Syringing is
a very ready means, but very wasteful. No doubt sponging consumes more
time, but taking into consideration the more effectual manner in which
the dressing can be executed alone, it is in the end most economical,
especially in regard to this little parasite. I have found it
difficult by syringing, as it has great power of resisting and
throwing off moisture, and if but a very few are left living, it is
astonishing how quickly it redistributes itself. I feel confident,
that by the application of this remedy in time another season, I shall
keep this collection clean. I believe planting the hollyhock in large
crowded beds should be avoided, as I have observed the closer they are
growing the more virulently does the disease attack them, whereas
isolated rows and plants are but little injured."[m]

The "Gardener's Chronicle" has also sounded a note of warning that a
species of Uredine has been very destructive to pelargoniums at the
Cape of Good Hope. Hitherto these plants have not suffered much in
this country from parasites. Besides these, there are many other less
troublesome parasites, such as _Uredo filicum_, on ferns; _Puccinia
Lychnidearum_, on leaves of sweet-william; _Uredo Orchidis_, on leaves
of orchids, &c.

If we would sum up the influences of fungi in a few words, it could be
done somewhat in the following form.

Fungi exert a deleterious influence--

On _Man_,

When eaten inadvertently.
By the destruction of his legitimate food.