OLEO FRAGRANS, MYRTLE IO7 



have seen plants five and six feet tall, with a spread 

 of three feet, thickly set with branches from the pot 

 to the top of the plant, and every branch apparently 

 retaining all the leaves it ever had. The beauty of 

 such a specimen, in its luxuriance of glossy, dark 

 foliage, makes one long to find out the secret of its most 

 successful cultivation. I have repeatedly asked the 

 owners of such plants how they grew them to such 

 perfection. The answer almost invariably is : "Use 

 rich soil, and keep them clean." Beyond this, they do 

 not recognize any special requirement on the part of 

 the plant. An examination of the soil in which I have 

 found fine specimens growing has convinced me that 

 a sandy loam suits them best. This should be made 

 quite rich, and kept moderately moist. By "keeping 

 clean," I presume the owners meant that frequent 

 showering was advisable. I have never seen but one 

 insect on this plant, and that is scale. By dipping it 

 in an infusion of lemon oil, the plant can soon be freed 

 from the ravages of this pest. The kind of Myrtle 

 in common use is M. communis. It blooms in spring, 

 and has a charming little white flower, whose petals 

 are as daintily delicate as frostwork. 



