1880.] TRANSACTIONS. 23 



well to follow. There is clanger of over-watering plants in the 

 winter time. A cold, wet and stagnant condition of the roots is 

 very injurious. On the other hand, the air of living-rooms is apt to 

 be dry and hence the draft of sap from the leaves is severe, there- 

 fore the plants must not be allowed to get too dry. S6e that your 

 pots have thorough drainage with crocks, and water only when 

 the pots look dry ; a good soaking with water about as warm as 

 the blood. The leaves of plants will sometimes become dusty in 

 the house, and may be benefited by being washed witii a soft 

 sponge. Better by far is a strong stream of water to remove 

 dust and also insects, wherever it can be applied. Oftentimes a 

 hot bath is the easiest way to be rid of aphis and red spider. 

 The water should be in a wooden pail or tub to hold the heat at 

 120°. The plant is to be plunged head foremost into the hot 

 water and withdrawn within five seconds. A second and shorter 

 plunge will wash off all remaining insects, if followed immediately. 

 This is a short and effectual process for most insects, and is not 

 injurious to plants except in rare cases of tender and succulent 

 growth. 



In regard to feeding plants, let me say 1 know of nothing that 

 will compare with the liquid from the stable. Let it be dipped 

 from a barrel and as free as possible from sediment. There is 

 not raucli danger of using too strong liquid from cow manure ; 

 from the horse the liquid is stronger and better, but should be 

 much weaker. When plants are in vigorous growth and are 

 needing nourishment, this food ma}' be applied once a week. By 

 watching you can detect wiiether the plant will bear more, or is 

 over-fed. Guano water, used with great care, is the next best 

 food, in my judgment. Weak potash water is excellent to correct 

 acidity and destroy worms, as well as to fertilize. Preparations 

 known as plant-food are expensive, and have not given me such 

 results as I anticipated. 



Now as to varieties, what can I say to you, but — take your 

 choice ? If you will but treat them well, there is an army of can- 

 didates willing to enlist. You can manage almost anything 

 which does not require close stove heat and moisture. Even this 

 3'ou can have in the Waltonian, or modified Wardian case. But un- 

 doubtedl}'^ there are some classes of plants better adapted to house- 

 culture, and more effective than others. Geraniums, especially 

 in the horse-shoe and tri-colored varieties, are alwa3's attractive by 

 their tine foliage and bright colors, and they do remarkably well. 

 Cytisus racemosus, the common broom of Europe, is an excep- 

 tionally good variety for house-culture. Its delicate foliage is 

 pleasing; it is very floriferous, and the bright canary color is 

 sunny and cheerful, while the delicious lemon-like fragrance is 



