ForeiQ-n J^otices. 267 



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Self-regulating Ventilator , for horticultural buildings . — Messrs. Daft 

 of Biriniiigham e.xliiljiteil at a meeting of the Metropolitan Society of 

 Florists and Amateurs, a very in^enions contrivance of a self-regulat- 

 ing ventilator, for horticultural Ijuildings and other places, where an 

 uniformity of t:'mperature is required. The construction and principle 

 of the model, is that of the simplest form of the merometer for indicat- 

 ing the degree of expansion of metals, and which, as is well known, can 

 be extended to an extremely minute division. It consists merely of a 

 cylindrical metallic har, one end of which is connected with a double lev- 

 er; tiie expansion of the metal, even in the most trifling degree, causes 

 this to act upon a pin which raises a trap door. This arrangement is 

 placed at the upper part of the building, and the bar may be agented to 

 act at the impression of an}' required degree of heat: so that when the 

 room has arrived at the desired maximum, the opening of the door will 

 retain it at that temperature. The action of the model which was reg- 

 ulated, so that the door ojiened from the heat of the hand by merely 

 placing it upon the cyluidrical bar, gave much satisfaction; and the on- 

 ly practical diffiitulty attendant on its use, was considered to be in the 

 probable derangement by oxidate air, or from the action of the atmos- 

 phere. It was remarked, that its introduction into the stove or hot-house 

 must be very desirable, by keeping the })lace always at a required tem- 

 perature, obviating the chance of any injury to plants, either from care- 

 lessness or accident on the i)art of the attendants, whilst its ajiplication 

 to a variety of other j)urposes are singular and important. The Ade- 

 laide medal was unanimously awarded to Messrs. Daft, for their inge- 

 nious invention. (Hort. Jour.) 



The Slimy Grub, Blennocdrpa Seldndria. — Having suffered ex- 

 tremely from this insect, I am induced to send you a receipt for compos- 

 ing a mixture, which I found eftectual to destroy it, on upwards of two 

 hundred trees under my care, which were more or less affected, some 

 of the trees being literally covered with insects. Before giving the re- 

 ceipt, it may be useful to mention that I find a decoction of artichoke 

 leaves, so useful for mixing with other ingredients, for the destruction 

 of the insects, that I always keep some of it in readiness for that })ur- 

 pose. 



The receipt is as follows: — To thirty gallons of water add a peck of 

 quick-lime; after standing a few hours, ])our it gently oft', to prevent 

 any of the sediment mixing with the liquid, (as that would give the 

 trees an unsightly appearance:) add two pounds soap, one pound sul- 

 phur, (to be svell mixed with the soa~p before dissolving it,) two gallons 

 of the decoction of artichoke leaves, and one of tol)acco liquor. After 

 mixing the ingredients properly, ajiply it to the trees with Read's hy- 

 draulic syringe, or any other garden engine, in the j)roj)ortion of one 

 third of the mixture to two thirds pure water. The best time to apply 

 it is froni three to seven o'clock, P. M., after a fine dry day; or between 

 five and eight o'clock A. M., no dew having fallen the previous evening. 



From two to six washings will be found sufticienl to clear the trees; 

 and if the mixture be used on those not infected, it will be found a great 

 means of preventing them from becoujing so. 



To make a decoction of artichoke leaves, I take one quarter of a 

 hundred weight, (twenty-eight pounds,) of leaves, and l)oil them in 

 twelve gallons of water for half an hour, then strain it off', let it stand 

 till cold, and barrel it to be used as wanted. (J. M. H. S, in Gard. 

 Mag.) 



[We have not had the oy»portunity to ascertain the precise character 

 of this insect, but presume it belongs to the same family as the slugs, 

 which infest the cherry trees and rose bushes in our gardens. Would 

 it not be well for cultivators and others, who are troubled with the slug, 



