278 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



America is yet an experiment, a great deal of independent judg- 

 ment must be used. The plants should be treated in the same 

 manner as the ordinary Asters of the garden or other perennial 

 Composite. 



"As to the Dalmatian plant, it is well known that Mr. Gr. N\ 

 Milco, a native of Dalmatia, has of late years successfully culti- 

 vated Pyrethrum cinerariafolium near Stockton, Cal., and the 

 powder from the California-grown plants, to which Mr. Milco has 

 given the name of 'Buhach,' retains all the insecticide qualities 

 and is far superior to most of the imported powder, as we know 

 from experience. Mr. Milco gives the following advice about 

 planting — advice which applies more particularly to the Pacific 

 coast: 'Prepare a small bed of fine, loose, sandy, loamy soil, 

 slightly mixed with fine manure. Mix the seed with dry sand 

 and sow carefully on top of the bed. Then with a common rake 

 disturb the surface of the ground half an inch in depth. Sprinkle 

 the bed every evening until sprouted ; too much water will cause 

 injury. After it is well sprouted, watering twice a week is 

 sufficient. When about a month old, weed carefully. They 

 should be transplanted to loamy soil during the rainy season of 

 winter or spring.' 



"Our own experience with P. roseum, as well as P. cinera- 

 ricefoUum, in Washington, D. C, has been so far quite satisfactory. 

 Some that we planted last year in the fall came up quite well in 

 the spring, and will, perhaps, bloom the present year. The plants 

 from sound seed which we planted this spring are also doing 

 finely, and as the sod is a rather stiff.' clay, and the rains have 

 been many and heavy, we conclude that Mr. Willemot has over- 

 stated the delicacy of the plants. 



"In regard *to manufacturing the powder, the flower heads 

 should be gathered during fine weather, when they are about to 

 open, or at the time when fertilization takes place, as the essential 

 oil that gives the insecticide qualities reaches, at this time, its 

 greatest development. When the blossoming has ceased, the 

 stalks may be cut within about four inches from the ground and 

 utilized, being ground and mixed with the flowers in the propor- 

 tion of one-third of their weight. Great care must be taken not 



