Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-03-01

The leaves of plants when in normally
healthy state are generally of deep green
color but when diseased they become yellow
ish or white. In the majority of cases such
diseased appearance is produced by an ex-
cess of light or a lack of it, too much or too
little water unsuitable, over-rich or impover-
ished soil or lack of drainage. When the dis
cOloration first shows itsef-and this is gen
orally on the younger shoots-the condition
of the roots should be ascertained by turning
the plant out of the pot If the roots are
healthy and fill the ball or appear overcrowd-
ed, the discoloration indicates lack of nutri-
ment, or too little or too much light. In the
first case it can be remedied by shifting the
plant into a larger pot, or watering the plant
with liquid manure. If excess or lack OF
light is the cause reference must be had to
the character of the plant. Ferns selaginel-
las. and plants of similar character that nat
urally grow in shady places become pale or
yellowish when grown in bright light, while
those whose habitat is in open, exposed stu
atoms become discolored when not having
suficiency of light In either case, when
grown in pots plants are more liable TO be-
come diseased through this cause than when
grown in the open air. The remedy, of
course. is only TO shift the position of the
plant and place II where the lght VIII better
suit its nature.
If the ball is not filed with roots, and they
do not appear to be fresh and healthy, the
discoloratOn in all probability proceeds from
excess of moisture or unsuitable soil. To REM
edy the first, see that the drainage outlet is
kept free and unchecked; if after a week or
two this does not effect "A change, then it is
probable that the diseased appearance arises
from unsuitable soil Some plants such as
azaleas, camellias, and rhododendrons, in
such case will not throw out single rootlet
from the old ball into the new soil, but grad
ually die back or make but weakly, spindling
shoots II the discoloration has been produc-
ed by bad drainage, excessive watering or
unsuitable soil and is of such long standing
as to cause the roots to decay, or the soil has
become sour the proper remedy Is to shake
off all tn. earth from them and wash them by
shaking them thoroughly in clean water, cut
ting off the decayed parts vita a sharp knife,
and replanting into light fresh earth, and see
ing that the drainage is kept free. Rich soil
or large pots should not be used the latter
should be but little larger than the diameter
of the roots. When the roots are well-deyel-
oped the plant may be shifted into a larger
pot and richer soil. The leaves of plants from
warm countries-oranges, for instance-will
sometimes become yellow when exposed to a
low temperature, especially when accompan-
led with much moisture the remedy in this
case is either to raise the temperature or de-
crease the amount of water given.
Sometimes the discoloration is caused by
insufficeAcy of water, which causes the roots
to shriyel up. 1t may also proceed from Civ
ing too much water at one time, and then let
ting the ball become dry or by only giving
enough of water 10 nOisten the surface of the
soil for an inch or two, while below it may be
dry as powder. Carefulness and watchful-
ness are the only modes Of preventing injury
to the plants from such causes. When the
leaves of deciduous plants fall of az their sea-
son of rest approaches, they should be placed
in lower temperature, and not have as lib
eral a supply of water as when growing. If
evergreen plants, such as we generally grow
in greenhouses, shed their leaves profusely
and suddenly, it indicates that they have not
light enough, or that the temperature of the
room is too high, or the atmosphere is too
dry; the proper mode of treatment in such
cases is self-apParent
Occasionally plants will die of suddenly
near the surface of the soil, although the
roots, leaves, and shoots look quite healthy.
This is often caused by the collar of the plant
the part where the roots are joined to the
stem-being set too deep into the soil Wa
tering with very cold water when the soil in
the pots has been exposed 10 the sun will al
so cause them TO die of suddenly. Plants in
pots should never have the pots exposed TO
the full blaze of sunshine, especially in the
middle of the day. The crowns of herba-
ceous plants that have been kept dry, or COM
paratively So during their season of rest,
viii rot away II the Lalls of roots are too lib
orally supplied with water They should be