JFloral JVotes. 123 



The I'eats of Rosehuslies. 



These arc abundant enough, as every one who has tried to cultivate roses knows, 

 unless the experiment has been made in some region exceptionally free from the ills 

 to which these shrubs are heir. Bugs and worms, and flies, too, often cover the 

 bushes, and it is impossible to give infallible directions for their extermination. One 

 cultivator uses carbolic soap with success, while another does better with whale oil 

 soap, and still another accomplishes wonders with tobacco smoke. All the dealers in 

 seeds and horticultural supplies keep the soap and the oil on hand, and tobacco can 

 be had in large quantities at a cheap rate. Perhaps as effectual a method as any is 

 found in the combination of tobacoo smoke with either of the other two agents, the 

 washing being done either before or after the smoking. Now, the smoking, although 

 it is very easy to talk about, has its drawbacks. If, however, it must be done, it is 

 well to do it effectually. 



We have seen a device which, so far as the production of smoke goes, is very sat- 

 isfactory. A common tin box, such as dry mustard is sold in, is taken to the tinman, 

 who cuts a hole about half an inch across in the bottom, and solders on a tapering 

 tube, something like the nozzle of an oil can. In the cover of the box he cuts 

 another hole, and solders on a tube flaring slightly outward, of a size to fit over the 

 nozzle of a pair of bellows. The whole machine looks like one of the affairs which 

 dealers in magic cockroach powders sell for the purpose of blowing the powder into 

 cracks and crannies. The box is filled with tobacco, and a live coal inserted just 

 under the cover. The tube is then placed on the bellows, and the latter put in ope- 

 ration. The result will be a smoke such as no respectable insect will endure for a 

 moment. 



It is quite practicable to smoke plants, both in-doors and out, by using a light 

 frame covered with glazed cloth, or other reasonably smoke-proof material. This is 

 made large enough to put bodily over the bush. The nozzle of the smoke bellows 

 may then be introduced through a suitable aperture, and in a few minutes, or sec- 

 onds, the smoke inside will be almost thick enough to cut with a knife. — Ex. 



A. New Tjibonin. 



One of the most valuable plants for greenhouse decoration is the Lihonia fiori- 

 hiinda, which was introduced only a few years ago. It is a small, half-shrubby plant, 

 which, on account of its abundant and persistent flowering all winter, is especially 

 useful in the cool greenhouse, or under certain circumstances as a window-plant. We 

 have recently received from Mr. John Saul, of Washington, another Libonia, which 

 appears to be an improvement on the older one. It has better foliage, and much 

 larger, brighter, and deeper colored flowers than the other, and is, on these accounts, 

 preferable to it. This new Libotiia is called L. Penrhosie?isis. It is said to be a 

 cross between L.floribunda and Sericographis Gkieshregtiana, a statement we do not 

 credit, as the difl'erence between it and L. Jloribunda is no greater than often happens 

 with seedlings. Whatever may be its origin, it is an exceedingly bright and pretty 

 plant. The flowers are vermilion red at the base, shading into yellow at the upper 

 part. The Libonias are not suited for eut-flowers, as the blossoms drop very readily. 

 If grown as a window-plant, it should be commenced with in the fall, and brought 

 into flower in the window, as plants taken from a greenhouse into the dry air of a 

 dwelling lose both flov/crs and leaves, and become unsightly. — Hearth and Home. 



Solving llowev Seed.i. 



We have often, in the spring, heard the cry, " Why don't my flower-plants come 

 up? The seeds are of no account. The seed man has cheated me," etc., etc. We 

 generally listen to such complaints with as much grace as we have, knowing all the 

 time that the fault is generally, not in the seed, or the seed man, but in the would-be 

 cultivator. The principal reasons, " why the seed will not come up " are : 



Firsl — The ground is not of the right kind, or has not been properly prepared. 



