Entomological Notes. 277 



have grown the plant and its varieties for ten years. It is of the 

 easiest cultivation either by seeds or divisions. It now ramifies 

 into a great, variety of all shades, from white to deep crimson, 

 double and single, perfectly hardy here, and I think likely to be 

 nearly everywhere on this continent.' Dr. James C. Neal, of 

 Archer, Florida, has also successfully grown P. roseum and many 

 varieties thereof, and other correspondents report similar favora- 

 ble experience. None of them have found a special mode of cul- 

 tivation necessary. In 1856 Mr. C. Willemot made a serious at- 

 tempt to introduce and cultivate the plant on a large scale in 

 France. As his account of the cultivation of Pyrethrum is the 

 best we know of, we quote here his experience in full, with but 

 few slight omissions : ' The soil best adapted to its culture should be 

 composed of a pure ground, somewhat silicious and dry. Moisture 

 and the presence of clay is injurious, the plant being extremely sen- 

 sitive to the excess of water, and would in such case immediately 

 perish. A southern exposure is the most favorable. The best time 

 for putting the seeds in the ground is from March to April. It can 

 be done even in the month of February if the weather will per- 

 mit it. After the soil has been prepared and the seeds are sown 

 they are covered by a stratum of ground mixed with some vege- 

 table mould, when the roller is slightly applied to it. Every five 

 or six days the watering has to be renewed, in order to facilitate 

 the germination. At the end of about thirty or forty days the 

 young plants makes their appearance, and as soon as they have 

 gained strength enough they are transplanted at a distance of 

 about six inches from each other. Three months after this opera- 

 tion they are transplanted again at a distance of from fourteen to 

 twenty inches, accordiug to their strength. Each transplantation 

 requires, of course, a new watering, which, however, should only 

 be moderately applied. The blossoming of the Pyrethrum com- 

 mences the second year, toward the end of May, and continues to 

 the end of September.' Mr. Willemot also states that the plant 

 is very little sensitive to cold, and needs no shelter, even during 

 severe winters. 



"The above quoted directions have reference to the climate of 

 France, and as the cultivation of the plant in many parts of North 



