76 breck's new book of flowers. 



Geraniums, or Pelargoniums, should be cut in very 

 close, as they will make much fiuer plants, and start with 

 greater vigor, and give a greater profusion of bloom, 

 than if this were neglected. It will not be necessary to 

 repot the Roses quite so early as the Geraniums, Camel- 

 lias, and some other plants ; they may be kept out much 

 longer and exposed to severe frosts before they are pot- 

 ted. The branches should then be reduced to three or 

 four buds, and the pots stowed away in the cellar for a 

 couple of months. 



Fuchsias may be treated in the same way. When 

 brought into the room, in January, they will grow with 

 great vigor, and give a finer bloom than if started earlier. 



It is better to keep most of the plants rather cool dur- 

 ing the months of November and December, and all the 

 hardier kinds should be kept out of doors as long as pos- 

 sible. A slight frost will not injure a great majority of 

 parlor plants ; but a hard frost, although it might not de- 

 stroy them, would weaken them very much. Geraniums, 

 Heliotropes, Begonias, Salvias, and others of like tender- 

 ness, should be housed as soon as even moderate frosts 

 are expected. 



INSECTS. 



There is a variety of insects which infest parlor plants, 

 and, unless looked after rather closely, will destroy their 

 beauty. The green fly is a great pest to parlor and green- 

 house plants ; but is easily killed in the green-house, by 

 filling the house thoroughly with tobacco smoke at the 

 close of the day, and then shutting it up tight for the 

 night. For parlor plants, it will be necessary to put them 

 in large boxes, or barrels, and fill them with smoke, and 

 cover up tight. This will effectually destroy this destruc- 

 tive and disgusting insect. By immersing the plants in 

 a tub of soap-suds they may be freed from the fly. To 



