1873] FLORIST FLOWERS. 65 



all the badly-infested parts, going patiently over those left and cutting 

 clean off all spots of canker, showing where the insects were or had 

 been, then washing them in the same manner as I had done the stems, 

 going over them two or three times to make sure they were thoroughly 

 clean, then dusting them over with an equal mixture of dry soot 

 and newly-slaked lime, replanting them in some fresh soil, mixing a 

 little soot and lime amongst it while filling it in, and taking care to 

 pick out every morsel of old root or stick that could be seen. I then 

 washed the house thoroughly in every part, and painted it with spirits 

 of turpentine to destroy any insects that might be missed in the 

 washing, painting the Vine with the usual mixture of clay, soot, 

 sulphur, soft-soap, and tobacco, adding two ounces of turpentine, and 

 one of nux vomica to every gallon of the mixture, and then tied them in 

 their places, leaving them alone until they broke into growth in April, 

 which they did in a most satisfactory manner, and made strong growth 

 during the summer, never showing the signs of an insect on either root 

 or stem." This was done in 1868, and the Vines have prospered and 

 kept free from Phylloxera, showing that Mr Dunn had done the work 

 with a thoroughness which is characteristic of him. He is the only 

 person who in this or any other country, that we are aware of, has 

 thrown so much light on and destroyed this pest, at the same time 

 successfully saving the Vines ; and we have no hesitation in saying that 

 if our London Horticultural, or any other Horticultural Society, can see 

 their way to make him some reward for so successful an undertaking, that 

 they will not be overstepping the limits of their duty. No matter what 

 course Mr Dunn might pursue in such a case again, the fact that he 

 saved his Vines remains the same, and deserves more credit than he 

 who, to destroy the pest, destroys the Vines also, although the latter 

 procedure is doubtless attended with less uncertainty. 



Editor. 



FLOmST FLOWERS. 



THE DAHLIA. 



Amoxgst florist flowers none maintains a more eminent standing in pubhc re- 

 gard than the Dahlia. Looking at it in every enjoyable aspect, it is certainly 

 worthy of the high esteem in which it is held. Do we wish an object bold and 

 massive, stately and unique ? do we desire a grand floral row, a centre to a 

 clump of lesser flowers ? For these purposes, as well as its arrangement into large 

 masses, its adaptability is most perfect. 



We could swell this paper to an unusual length were we to attempt to de- 

 scribe all the qualities of the Dahlia. The Dahlia is a native of Mexico, and 

 was brought to England in the September of 17S9 by the Marchioness of Bite, 

 who brought it from Spain ; but when it was introduced from its native habita- 



