MISCELLANY OF NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. 1S5 



never tried the exact proportions. However strong, it does not injure even the 

 tenderest shoots. An experiment or two, with a proportion, will suffice to show 

 what it will effect on the insect. Boiling water poured upon the tobacco will 

 produce the stronger liquid in the shortest time. It must be cool when applied 

 to the plant.] 



On Veronicas and Irises. — I should feel much obliged if some of your cor- 

 respondents would give a descriptive list of twenty-four best hardy Veronicas, 

 also a few of the best Irises, in an early Number. 



June 8, 1816. . A. IB , a Subscriber. 



Stove Aquatics. — Oue of the greatest errors in cultivating stove aquatics, is 

 the subjecting of the roots to occasional chilis of cold water. Nothing can be 

 more opposed to healthy growth and the attaining of a flowering state. This 

 state of things is usually owing to the circumstance that aquatic plants are 

 placed in the tank from which water is used lor the various purposes of watering, 

 syringing, &c, and, the deficiency being supplied by additions of cold water, 

 the plants are, in consequence, submitted to sudden checks in their development. 

 This ought nut to be ; a regular and even warmth of about SO degrees, should 

 be kept up, and the plants will then be enabled to grow without hindrance, and 

 attain the degree of perfection of which they are susceptible. — Hoit. Hay. 



Neapolitan Violets. — Parties desirous of having new beds of Neapolitan 

 Violets in flower next winter, may lie reminded that the present is a very sea- 

 sonable time for propagating this favourite flower. Let stout runners be 

 Fe'ectcd and planted in rich soil. They m.iy be expected to become good plants 

 by August or September. A mixture of peat, sand, and loam, will ensure their 

 success. 



Gas-tarring Walks. — Happening to be at Margate a few days ago, I 

 observed that the public walk upon the cliff' was covered over with gas-tar. 

 Upon inquiry, I found that this plan had answered peifectly upon the gravel- 

 walk in the centre of the pier, which has been done some years, is quite smooth 

 and hard, and has all the appearance of being covered with Claridge's asphalte. 

 I consider this plan of gas-tarring walks a great hit. They are thus made dry 

 in all weathers, the worms are destroyed, no weeds can grow, and all trouble of 

 keeping them in order is saved. The gas-tar is applied hot to the gravel walk 

 with a brush, and dry sand is sifted over the tar to harden it. I should say that 

 some powdered quick-lime might be added to the sand with advantage. Three 

 or four coats are required, which may be renewed every two or three years as 

 needful. I laid down two barn-floors in 1839 with Claridge's asphalte, half-an- 

 -inch thick. They are now in as good a state as when first done, and have an- 

 swered my wishes in every respect. They cost me one shilling per square foot, 

 which included a heavy land-carriage for the materials. After having seen the 

 gas-tar applied to the walks at Margate, I should now not go to the expense of 

 laying down a bain flour with Claridge's asphalte. I thould prepare the floor 

 with a solid concrete of broken stones, and then apply three or four coats of 

 gas-tar, with sand and quick-lime sifted over the tar. I think it would pay a 

 tanner to prepare in this way all his homesteads. He would save all loss by 

 rats, mice, and dampness. In using gas-tar as a covering for boards, I have 

 found great advantage in mixing a little resin with each kettle of gas-tar. Thus 

 mixed, it will last longer, and have more body and glossiness. — H. Morris, in 

 Gardeners' Chronicle. 



On potting Pi ants. — " Plants that have not for some time been shifted or 

 repotted, will require much caie and attention in performing it; the soil should 

 be shaken ftom the roots ; if it is dry and hard it should be s iaked in water, so 

 that it may become pulverized and fall freely from them; the roots should he 

 examined to see if they are in a good state of health, and the unhealthy ones 



