94 THE PLANT WORLD 



to smoulder. The red spider is unfortunately not affected by the fumes 

 of tobacco, but readily disappears before a thorough wetting. If the 

 house is so situated that water can be used with force, it is a compara- 

 tively easy matter to keep them down ; but if not, the plants can be 

 sponged off with warm soap suds or immersed in a tub of water. Care 

 should be taken to thoroughly wet the under sides of the leaves, as this 

 is where the mite takes up its headquarters. They can also be extermi- 

 nated by the fumes of hydrocyanic gas, but as this is also destructive 

 to delicate plants it can only be used with caution and by persons thor- 

 oughly familiar with its effects. 



Too Much Water. — A few days ago we were asked as to the probable 

 cause of the dropping of the leaves on a rubber plant. An investigation 

 of the plant disclosed that it was standing in a jardiniere that was half 

 full of water and presumably had been for weeks. Plants undoubtedly 

 need water, some of course more than others, but there are few that can 

 stand having the roots submerged and with no opportunity for the air to 

 reach them. Palms are especially averse to " wet feet " and will very 

 soon show signs of failing if subjected to this treatment. Good drainage 

 is as essential as good soil, and those who would succeed with plants 

 must see to it that they are properly treated in these respects. 



Perennial Phloxes from Seed. — Perennial phloxes are raised from seed 

 as easily as any of our most vigorous annuals and are as easily managed. 

 The seed can be sown at any time from February to the first of May, or 

 even later, and with only ordinary care and treatment they will bloom 

 before winter sets in. Sow in pans or flats, not too thickly, and place 

 these in a moderately cool house in a light position. Don't let them get 

 too dry and the seed will germinate inside of three weeks, according 

 to its freshness and the atmospheric conditions. Or they may be sown 

 during March or April in an ordinary hotbed. As soon as the plants are 

 large enough to handle, prick them off about two inches apart in flats or 

 a hotbed and when they are two to three inches high pot them off into 

 3-inch pots. In two weeks' time the plants will be ready to be planted 

 out in the field or garden. In good rich soil they will grow fast and 

 vigorously and produce strong branching panicles almost as early as the 

 cuttings you take from old plants. They should be left undisturbed 

 for another year, because a second season may develop special character- 

 istics or value in any of the plants. Not until you have seen a second 

 blooming can you determine whether the plants are worth keeping or 

 not, — Gardening . 



Magnolia stellata. — One of the finest of the early-blooming shrubs is 

 Magnolia stellata, or M. Halliana, as it is frequently called, having been 

 introduced from Japan by Dr. Hall, of Newport, R. I., about forty years 

 ago. It begins to bloom when only two feet high and increases in beauty 



