514: 



THE GARDEN AND ITS FRUITS. 



[Chap. V. 



" To have suitable compost for plants, the different soils should be mixed 

 for some time before they are wanted. In making composts, the following 

 soils should be obtained : First, soil and turf from an old pasture ; second, 

 decomposed horse or cow manure ; third, peat soil or leaf mold from the 

 woods ; fourth, white sand ; tifth, coarse sand or gravel ; sixth, charcoal and 

 broken pots. The charcoal and broken pots are for drainage. A suitable 

 compost for fuchsias, roses, and geraniums consists of one part white sand, 

 one of leaf-mold, and one of decomposed manure and turf-mold. These 

 sliould be well mixed together and sifted before using. A compost for cac- 

 tus is made of sand, leaf, and turf-mold, with a good drainage of charcoal 

 and broken pots. All bulbous roots require a very rich soil composed of 

 equal parts of sea sand, rotten cow manure, peat soil, and good turf-mold. 



" In taking plants out of pots, all that is necessary is to put the hand on 

 ' top of the dirt and then turn the pot bottom up, and hit a gentle rap, and 

 the ball of earth will slip out. Most people water plants too little. Two or 

 three times a week is necessary, or oftener in a dry stove room. 



" To grow flowers in the greatest perfection, gardeners often cover them 

 and take great pains to preserve them free from contact of insects or the 

 pollen of other flowers. 



" The thing of most importance in potting is suitable soil. Many persons 

 imagine that all that is requisite is earth, be it good or bad. "\Ve have seen 

 plants potted in common street manure, the owners laboring under the im- 

 pression that it was the very best kind because it was black. 



" Unsuitable soil and large pots generally given to small, weak plants for 

 the purpose of causing them to grow, is, in nine cases out of ten, the cause 

 of their death. 



" Giving small pots to weak plants encourages the growth of the roots 

 toward the side of the pot in search of air and moisture. In potting plants, 

 glazed pots should never be used, as they prevent the evaporation of all im- 

 purities through the sides of the pot. 



" Of all the insects which infest house plants, the green fly, red spider, 

 and mealy bug are the most difficult to get rid of. They are easily de- 

 stroyed in the green-house by tobacco smoke. For parlor plants, take a 

 pail of soft water, invert the plant over the pail, cover the surface of the pot 

 with a piece of paper to prevent the soil from falling out, and brush the 

 leaves downward with a dust brush, dipping the plant in the water several 

 times. The mealy bug may be found in the axils of the leaves of orange- 

 trees, camelias, passion flowers, and various other plants. They look like 

 small specks of cotton, and are only to be got rid of by picking them oft'. 

 If plants should happen to get frozen, they should be syringed with cold 

 water and screened from the rays of the sun. Thus plants are frequently 

 saved that would otherwise be destroyed." 



