STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 31 



the discouraged ones, and leave the field vanquished to their better 

 appreciated rivals. Under such treatment the plants will grow 

 rapidi}', and soon begin to bloom profusely. In order to keep the 

 bed in full flower, do not let the plants go to seed, for this uses up 

 a large portion of the plant's vitality. As soon as faded, remove 

 the cluster and two or more will start at once, and the plant will 

 increase in loveliness. Do not be afraid to pick bouqfuets for the 

 house, and to give away, for they will blossom the more profusely 

 for the systematic pruning, and the beds be brighter and gayer, the 

 plants stronger and healthier. Even the early frosts will only re- 

 move the advanced buds, and the succeeding warm days will almost 

 always coax out another growth of buds and blossoms. If a very 

 dry time comes in summer, water thoroughly at night, and cover 

 the ground around the plants with a light mulching of dry grass, 

 leaves, or straw, it will aid in retaining the moisture. The sum and 

 substance of the general care of the flower garden may be summed 

 up in these few words. Keep the weeds out and the young plants 

 well cultivated and not allow them to seed. These three sugges- 

 tions well carried out, and success will crown aTl efforts. 



BUGS AND WORMS. 



Bugs and worms will appear, but plants in a good healthy grow- 

 ing condition will always hold their own. While speaking of bugs, 

 I would like to ask a question or two of the learned solons gath- 

 ered here in wise deliberations on ways and means of securing hor- 

 ticultural benefits, what is the name of the long black bug, a good 

 half inch or more in length that pounces on the asters just as they 

 are coming into bloom, and in an incredibly short space of time, 

 destroys every blossom and bud in sight, and then will disappear 

 as suddenly as it came? After this season of trial the plants seem 

 to recover themselves and the balance of the season will do well, 

 neither are they troubled again by their black enemy. This is the 

 experience of the past two years. I would like a name for this 

 bug, and, if you please, the bigger it is and the more Latin about 

 it, the better it will suit me. For this summer, when the few 

 asters I have come into flower, and this miserable bug puts in his 

 appearance — well — not being a man I can't swear at him, but it 

 certainly would be quite comforting to be able to stand with a bold 

 front toward him, and hurl his name at him at least. Is there any 

 known means of preventing the ravages of this bug, or am I the 

 only one favored with his attentions? I have never heard or seen 



