234 BRIEF REMARKS. 



exceedingly showy. Each trumpet-shaped blossom is near three inches 

 long. If the roots of the plant have the advantage of a bark-pit, or 

 otherwise wanned, it greatly promotes its vigour, and is the means of 

 bringing it early into bloom. It is now extensively grown for cut 

 specimens, along with Stephanotus floribundus, for Covent Garden, 

 London. — Flora. 



On blooming the splendid crimson-flowered Amaryllis 

 Jacobe^. — On flowering this, or (which I take to be the same) the 

 Sperkalia formosissinia of Sweet's British Floioer Gaiden, he recom- 

 mends planting it in the open border, wliich I have practised with 

 success in the following manner : — In May, I plant my bulbs in a 

 border of sandy peat and loam, in a sheltered situation, in wliich place 

 they remain until September. I then take them up and dry them, 

 taking care not to injure the roots. When in bloom, the flowers must 

 be sheltered from rain or rough winds. I keep the bulbs in a dry room 

 until the returning season for planting. It ought to be in every flower 

 garden. Bulbs are cheap. — Clericus. 



On destroying Woodlice. — How am I to destroy, most effectually 

 and readily, woodlice, with which I am pestered in my greenhouse and 

 frames to an enormous degree. — Alpha. 



[Cold boiled potatoes put into small garden-pots, and covered with a 

 little loose moss, and placed where most likely to be found by the 

 insects, is the best method we liave tried. The insects are fond of the 

 potato, and remain concealed under the moss. The pots require 

 examining early in the morning, and the insects destroyed ; when re- 

 quisite, replace with fresh potatoes. We have used ingredients, poi- 

 sonous, which, mixed up with other things, effectually kill the insects 

 partaking of it ; but as danger attends such a mode of destruction, we do 

 not recommend its adoption. 



Hydrangea involucrata, var. flore fleno. — A double- 

 flowered Hydrangea, having bright rose-coloured flowers, is mentioned 

 by Dr. Siebokl, which he discovered growing on the highest moun- 

 tains of the Island of Niphon and Sikok, in Japan, where it blooms 

 during the months of July and August. It is grown plentifully in the 

 gardens of these parts, and forms a handsome plant, with a stem about 

 three feet high. According to some travellers there are four varieties 

 of it ; one lilac, the others with flesh-coloured, yellowish, and rose- 

 coloured flowers. Living plants have not yet been introduced into 

 this country. 



On pruning Rhododendrons. — What should be done with respect 

 to Rhododendrons Avhen they grow straggling, as I am afraid of cutting 

 them, lest I should injure the bloom for next spring. If some reader 

 of the Cabinet, who has had practical instruction, would favour me with 

 a reply, I shoiTld be grealy obliged. — Kalmia. 



[We have frequently cut in straggling growing Rhododendrons, and 

 they have made fine showy plants by the second summer. The time 

 wlien we cut in the branches was early in April. Several young shoots 

 were generally produced upon each branch, and lest they should be too 

 close we thinned out a portion, and only left three or four. By cutting 

 in the branches at this early season, the plants were more certain to 



