278 



-THE FLOEAL WORLD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



Well, then, witli reference to our plants 

 in pots. Let due regard be had to drain- 

 age ; this is of the very first importance. 

 Then let equal regard be paid to the tex- 

 ture of the soil, so that the plants will root 

 freely into it, and water pass through it 

 rapidly, and tliere need be no fear with 

 reference to their welfare if they are kept 

 constantly moist. To be a little more de- 

 Unite, let lis select a few plants in pots, 

 and subject them to liberal treatment ; 

 and let iis place beside them duplicates of 

 the same kind, to be dealt with alter the 

 starving system. Now then, we vriil have 

 Lastrea dilatata, L. rigida, L. Filix-mas, 

 L. spinulosa, Polystichiuiu lobatum, P. 

 aculeatum, Cystopteris dentata, Onoclea 

 seusibilis, Cyrtomium falcatum, and Scolo- 

 pendrium olliciaarum. We will select the 

 above-mentioned because the prominence 

 and distinctness of their undeveloped 

 fronds, even at this season of the year, 

 will enable us more accurately to observe 

 the effects of the separate treatment upon 

 them. Now, let the first portion be well- 

 careJ for with water throu'j;hout the win- 

 ter, taking care every time they are watered 

 to pour the water vipon the crown of the 

 j)lant, so that the liuid may insinuate itself 

 into and amongst the undeveloped fronds, 

 and we shall find they will gradually en- 

 large their crowns through the entire sea- 

 son of winter. Even those of the fore- 

 going which entirely lose their foliage, as 

 Onoclea sensibilis and Lastrea rigida, will 



thoroughly enjoy themselves, and the whole 

 selection will be seen progressing towards 

 a rich development of themselves in the 

 spring. 



Pass we now, by anticipation, to the 

 latter part of the mouth of March and tho 

 month of April, when our favourites will 

 be rising into a new life. Now we hare 

 a splendid opportunity of deciding which 

 kind of treatment results most satisfac- 

 torily. Compare the majestic rising of the 

 new fronds of the L istrea dilatata and the 

 rich and fatty appearance of the first di- 

 vision with the meagre developments of 

 those which have been kept on short-com- 

 mons, and I will venture to decide that 

 the latter treatment will never again ob- 

 tain in our management of ferns. 



These remarks have been suggested by 

 a reply to " C. B. K.'' on "Ferns in Win- 

 ter," at page 215 of September number of 

 Floeal World. It they should by any 

 means find their way into your valuabla 

 publication, and be considered any reflec- 

 tion upon your editorial wisdom, why, 

 you know you can lay the blame upon 

 your careless printer. 



[No, friend Chitty ; we'll bear all the 

 blame on our own broad slioulders, and 

 take a lesson out of your book. Let us 

 have more of your practical wisdom. Shake 

 our infallibility with nil your might, and 

 " fire-away."— Ed. F. W.] 



EEMOVAL OF APHIS PEOM VEEBENA CUTTINGS. 



Having got some cuttings of verbenas 

 last spring, which were covered with green 

 aphis, I made a tliick lather of common 

 white soap on my hands (which was a solu- 

 tion as strong as could possibly be), satu- 

 rated tho cuttings completely with the 



lather, by gentle pressure, between my 

 hands, and then immediately threw them 

 into a basin of tepid water. This killed 

 all vermiu, and did the cuttings no injury. 

 But then they were in the lather for 

 scarcely a minute. A. B. 



PIPE FLUES.— A CAUTION. 



As many small houses are heated with 

 pipe tile flues, let me caution your readers 

 against using the pipes unglazed, because 

 where there is not a quick draft through 

 them, as when the ash-pit door is shut for 

 the night, the pipes stveat, and are often 

 quite wet and dripping at the joints, caused 

 by the water formed by the combustion 

 of the fuel. This dampness gives oif an 



exceedingly acid, almost pungent smell, of 

 course most injurious to the plants. The 

 cost of the glazed pipes is but a trifle 

 more. I presume no one now-a-days is so 

 wasteful as to construct a furnace without 

 an ash-pit door. This may be of service 

 to your readers, who are now thinking of 

 fortifying against King Cold. J. R. 



