TROriEOLUM XOBBIAKUM. ON THE WIRE WORM. 203 



TROP^OLUM LOBBIANUM, 



To those M'ho cultivate plants for floral display during the winter 

 months, this Tropseolura may be regarded as a plant of the greatest im- 

 portance, whether the easy mode of its cultivation, tiie great beauty of 

 its flowers, the peculiarity of their structure, or the prodigality with 

 which they are produced, be taken into consideration ; tiiey form, too, 

 an article of some use as an ingredient for mixing into, or ornamenting 

 a dressed salad. Last midsummer a cutting was taken from a plant 

 growing on a verandaii in the open air, where it failed to produce its 

 flowers ; it was struck in a cold frame, and shifted and pinched in the 

 usual way until it reached a 12-inch pot and covered a pyramidical 

 trellis some four feet higli ; it was then placed in a cool stove, where 

 the night heat seldom exceeded 60°, wlien it began to flower in the 

 early part of December, aiid continued a dense mass for upwards of 

 four months, forming a striking contrast to the Orchids and otlier 

 plants then in a state of hybernation. 



SPIR^A PRUNIFOLIA, 



WITH DOUBLE FLOWERS. 



This charming shrub was introduced into Europe by Dr. Siebold, to 

 whom our collections are indebted for so many novelties, only to be 

 procured with the utmost difiiculty. It deserves the attention of all 

 amateurs, as well for its hardiness as its elegant liabit and beautiful 

 flowers. The Dutch traveller found it cultivated in the Japanese 

 gardens, and supposes its native country to be Corea, or tlie north of 

 China. It is a shrub of from six to nine feet high, and lias upright, 

 close, bushy, slender branches, wiiich are covered with a smootii, ash- 

 coloured bark, tliat detaches itself at a later period in tliin scales. The 

 leaves are oval, or ovate-elliptic, rounded at their base, obtuse or a 

 little acute at their apex, downy beneath, denticulated at the edge. 

 The flowers, which grow by threes or sixes, cover the whole length of 

 the branches, are as wliite as snow, and very double, in consequence of 

 a complete abortion of their stamens. Their shape is exactly like tliat 

 of the Eanunculus aconitifolius, with double flowers, and tlieir number 

 and arrangement, together with a light and elegant briglit green fo- 

 liage, render this plant a chaiming addition to the shrubs whicii grow 

 in tlie open air. 



OiN THE WIRE WORM. 



Having seen many inquiries respecting the manner in which the wire- 

 worm might be destroyed, induces me to send you my method of treat- 

 ment for their destruction. For nearly two or three seasons I liad 

 nearly all my Dalilia plants destroyed by tiiese destructive pests, the 

 wire-worm. After having tried various experiments, that of burnt 

 earth 5-uccceded entirely to my .'•atisfaction, not iiaving a plant tlie 

 following season injured. Thinking this might prove beneficial to 

 numbers of your readers, if you tliink it worth insertion, it is at your 

 service. 'J'lie burnt earth may be made by burning the refuse of tlie 

 garden in dry weather. 



