190 MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



after being potted as already directed, the main roots next the stem of the plant 

 will become uncovered : tills circumstance I regard as favourable to the health of 

 the plant : there will be no danger of its dying suddenly, as I have known many 

 to do, that have been buried alive, — in other words, been deeply potted !" " In 

 the winter months, care should be taken not to saturate the earth with water, nor 

 wet the leaves or stem more than can be avoided. In dry weather however, 

 during the summer season, water may be freely given to the plants about sunset, 

 and a very essential point to be observed is, that, when they are placed out in the 

 open air in groups, the sun's rays should not be allowed to fall directly on the 

 sides of the pots, for if they are, all the feeding spongioles of the tender roots 

 round the inner side of the pot, will assuredly be destroyed, and the life of the 

 plant greatly endangered. Repeatedly have I known a Banksia to have been 

 killed by the solar ray having been thus allowed to act on the side of the pot, 

 which six months afterwards retained so much of a life-like look — being kept yet in 

 its pot — as to appear to the eye of a superficial observer, to be still alive, and in 

 perfect vigour. The lowest greenhouse -temperature that can judiciously be 

 allowed, to prevent the effects of frost, is sufficient for the generality of the family 

 now in cultivation in Britain, and no artificial heat is required for their preserva- 

 tion, excepting in severe frosty weather." He adds, with reference to pruning, 

 that " as the rapid upright-growing species are, if left to themselves, shorter-lived, 

 than others naturally more robust, the free use of the knife is recommended, and 

 the growth of the plants checked, by keeping the luxuriant shoots cut back. This 

 remark is especially applicable to those beautiful plants of the Order, with simple, 

 straight, wand-like stems, such for example as Banksia Brownii and Dryandra 

 Serra, Br., the fonner of which has been lost to several collections that could once 

 have boasted of it, by its having been suffered to shoot up into exuberant growth, 

 far beyond what the slender, tapering, thinly-fibrid root could at all furnish sus- 

 tenance. By heading these down somewhat, and thus reducing the ascending 

 axis, or column of circulation, a more robust habit is induced, a growth of roots 

 in then - pots takes place, lateral branches are thrown out, find the plants thus 

 treated at Kew, are now in the best possible health, with every indicative of being 

 fully established in that garden." 



Aphis on Roses. — The rose is often much infested with what is called the 

 green fly bisect, which may easily be destroyed, by fumigating with tobacco, or if 

 in the open ah by making a solution of quick lime, soot, and water, in the pro- 

 portion of one peck of each to ten gallons of water. Stir the mixture well together, 

 mid afterwards let it stand till the water is clear, then mix about one-sixth of to- 

 bacco water from the tobacco manufactory to be had at Is. per gallon, with the 

 above, and sprinkle the trees or buds with it, and one application will be quite 

 sufficient. 



New Petunias. — We have recently seen two very handsome varieties of 

 Petunias, which have been raised in Germany, viz., one a flesh-coloured, and the 

 other white, with a darkish eye. Both are very desirable varieties, making a 

 pretty contrast with the other kinds. We also saw a splendid hybrid Alstrcemeria, 

 with flowers near four inches across, it has raised from seed saved from Apele- 

 grina. The flower is a fine flesh-colour, marked very strikingly with rosy crim- 

 son. The latter is not yet offered for sale. 



Metallic Wire. — (See Advertisement in our last Number.) — We had, some 

 time back, specimens of the Wire. We tried it, and found it to answer most ad- 

 mirably. It is very pliable, and can be used with the greatest ease and readiness. 

 It is very durable and neat, and a most excellent substitute for bass matting. For 

 securing plants to walls, trellises, &c, it is peculiarly adapted, as it will also be 

 found the best tie for Dahlia plants and roots, in order to secure the mames. The 

 smallest size would be found very suitable for tying up Carnations, &c, a small 

 twist at the ends only being required, which is very readily done. The pieces will 

 last many years for the same purpose. 



Purple-flowered Laburnam. — I have just seen a branch of the purple- 

 flowered Laburnam in bloom, which had been grafted upon a branch of the com- 

 mon Laburnam. Both kinds were in blossom at the same time, and had a striking 

 appearance. The purple-blossomed shows itself much better in this way than 

 when it blooms on a stem to itself, the contrast of the purple and yellow showing 

 the former much better. Isabella. 



