48 THE GARDENER. [Jan. 1870. 



HTAdNTHS in Glasses (A Subscriber).— Take the bulbs from the glasses, 

 thoroughly cleanse both the roots and the interior of the glasses with pure water, 

 and then place a few small pieces of charcoal in each glass, and fill them with 

 fresh soft water, and replace the bulbs. Examine them every other day to ascer- 

 tain if the water has become tainted, and if so, cleanse and change again — if not 

 so, let well alone. 



Arcades Ambo (Ignoramus). — A thoroughly friendly and good-natured saying, 

 well meant and as heartily appreciated. Freely translated, it signifies "both 

 Arcadians," and is quoted from Virgil. The Arcadians were all peculiarly clever 

 in Binging, hence the saying applies primarily to singers, but it is often transferred 

 to rival performers in any art or business, and though thought generally to 

 carry with it a touch of sarcasm, yet is not so intended in the paragraph from 

 which you quote. 



Bee-Keeping (Inquirer). — Your suggestions shall receive careful consideration. 

 "We have just received an interesting paper entitled " A Half-Hour on Bees," pre- 

 pared for, and read by invitation at one of the meetings of, the Hanwell (Middlesex) 

 "Penny Readings," by " A Hanwell Bee-Master. " We hope to give it in our next 

 issue. 



' Diseased Pelargonium - Leaf. — Your Pelargonium - leaf was forwarded to 

 that well-known authority "M. J. B.," who has expressed the opinion that it has 

 the appearance of being a case of common spotting, and one likely to have arisen 

 from the soil having been allowed to become too dry at some time or other, 

 by which many of the fine rootlets decayed, and in all probability were after- 

 wards gorged with water ; and this, added to an imperfect drainage, has no doubt 

 produced the decayed appearance of the leaf sent. Unfortunately the initials of 

 our correspondent were lost, but there is no doubt the reply will be recognised. 



In answer to correspondent A. M. A., whether the gas-tar he had plastered over 

 his frame will kill the plants, I once had something similar : I got a pit built for 

 the protection of bedding-plants in winter and for growing Cucumbers in summer. 

 The walls and flues were built with gas-lime, which had a very strong smell of 

 gas. I was afraid of getting my plants destroyed, but, being forced by hard 

 weather, and having no other place for them, they were put in that day it was 

 finished. I was very careful in giving all the air that the weather would allow, 

 and I am happy to say that I did not lose a single plant ; indeed they grew strong 

 and healthy after they were taken out. I planted Cucumbers, and had an abun- 

 dant crop. It has been used as above for three year.*, and I never saw any ill 

 effect it had upon the plants ; but if A. M. A. still fears, let the tar be washed 

 over with hot lime, and that will remove the smell to a great extent. 



Adam Renton. 



