THE AMERICAN, OR MEALY BUG. 191 cause a rapid evaporation both from the plants and soil; hence there exists a necessity, under the above circumstances, of watering and syringing frequently. However beneficial a screen may be during bright hot weather, its presence is not required while the sun is obscured. Encourage the growth of Azaleas and Camellias by keeping them comparatively close (with shade during sunshine), and supplying them liberally with moisture administered by the syringe. As probably increased room will be obtained by the removal of many plants to the flower-beds, the space might be appropriated to the cultivation of plants of the commoner sort for an autumn display. The pits will be found useful for many hard-wooded greenhouse plants, impatient of too much heat. Propagate Roses by cuttings from those plants which have been forced; and place the plants in a rather shady situation, in order that they may have a period of rest for a few weeks. Calceolarias that have ceased blooming should be re-potted; cut off dead tops, place the plants in a situation where they can be shaded from hot sun, admitting it morning and evening. Cinerarias also that have done blooming should have the tops cut off, be fumigated in a close frame, as they are often affected with green fly; after which the plants should be turned out of the pots, and planted in a somewhat raised bed, of good soil, in the garden. The tubers of Tropæolums which have ceased blooming, and the tops withered, must be taken out of the soil, or be kept in a bag, &c., or the pot must be put aside, where it may have the soil kept dry till potting time. Greenhouse plants placed in the open air in pots should have frequent waterings at the under side of the foliage, to destroy or keep down green fly. SEEDS FROM INDIA. IN transmitting seeds from India to this country, it has been usual to have the packets enveloped in oil-cloth, but the seeds have generally been injured, having misgave. It is now found that, to wrap the various packets in common brown paper answers admirably. THE AMERICAN, OR MEALY BUG. BY CLERICUS. HAVING a Chinese Apple-tree in my shrubbery, it had for two years become infested with the Mealy or American bug. In order to destroy it I took a quantity of the finest brickmakers' clay from a brickyard, mixed it with water so that it was a stiff liquid, and carefully coated the tree over with it, as far as the insect infested it. This, by excluding the air from the insects, soon destroyed them. The coating caine off by natural causes. I kept the diseased portions plastered over the entire year, and it so answered the purpose that not a vestige of the insect has been seen since February, 1842. ROYAL SOUTH LONDON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION. THE first Prize for twelve Tulips to nurserymen was awarded to Mr. Lawrence, of Hampton, for Fabius, Madame Vestris, Bacchus, Duke of Devonshire, Lavinia, Musidora, Strong's King, Aglaia, Reed's Prince Albert, Newbrooke's Bizarre, Lady Exeter, Violet Blondeau. They were well grown flowers and in fine condition. The following flowers were the best shown in the other collections: David, Cerise à belle forme, Imperatrice florum, Triumph Royal, Rose Blanca, Aglaia, Fabius, Captain White, Brulante, Bijou des Amateurs. Holme's King. SONGS OF THE FLOWERS. NO. 5.--THE ROSE "And all is ecstasy, for now The valley holds its feast of roses; And every leaf its balm receives."-Lalla Rookh. The angel of the flowers one day Beneath the Rose-tree sleeping lay; That spirit-to whose charge is given To bathe young buds in dews from heaven. Awaking from his light repose The angel whisper'd to the Rose, "O, fondest object of my care, Still fairest found where all are fair, For the sweet shade thou'st given to me, Ask what thou wilt, 'tis granted thee." "Then," said the Rose," with deepen'd glow, On me another grace bestow." The spirit paused in silent thought, What grace was there that flower had not? A vail of moss the angel throws. IN FOSTER'S GIPSY BRIDE PELARGONIUM. 'N our last month's Number we inserted the particulars of the Seedling Pelargonium Exhibition held at Upton Park, near Slough. To the Pelargonium we now figure the first prize was awarded. It was shown by Mr. Black, gardener to Edward Foster, Esq., of Clewer Manor House, near Windsor. It had previously been exhibited at the Royal Botanic Gardens show, when a first class certificate was awarded for it. The flower is of first-rate form, a good trusser, free bloomer, and the flowers are properly elevated above the foliage. It would have added to its excellence had the flower been larger. Pelargoniums always succeed best when grown in a house apart from other plants, and placed upon a stage as near to the glass as circumstances will admit, which is a most essential point in their culture. Where a greenhouse is of necessity appropriated to other classes of plants, then it is best to have pit-frames to grow the Pelargoniums in till blooming season; and when the flower-stems have pushed about half their length, to introduce the plants into the greenhouse for blooming. When they are in the greenhouse, and the petals are bursting the calyx, the temperature must be kept high, and be kept so till the blooming is over. If it is desired to have large and bold flowers this attention is very necessary, and, though at a hot season of the year, the house should be kept closed, in a great degree, using a canvass shade when mid-day sun is intense. This mode of treatment with blooming plants is the principal reason of the flowers exhibited by the London growers being generally so superior in size to any we ever saw in the country. Having recently given some observations on the culture of this charming tribe of plants, as well as lengthened articles being in pre Vol. XVII. No. 32.-N.S. R |