SEPTEMBER. 415 



became clean, with an occasional dip in tobacco liquor. 

 Ixoras, although previously cleaned, were about this time cut 

 down level with the pot ; the plants were old and had not 

 been accustomed to this treatment ; they all pushed well, and 

 made good plants the following summer. Gardenias, from 

 some cause, were the most troublesome of any ; they were 

 pale in color and sickly to commence with, and looked as if 

 I should lose two or three out of some seven or eight of 

 florida and Fortuni. The plants were from one to three feet 

 in height, the least touch of turpentine inflicted the greatest 

 injury, and the bug seemed to congregate on the smooth part 

 of the bark. In this state they continued through the months 

 just noticed. 



October, November, and December. — To find a bug was 

 now a rare occurrence, the temperature of the houses was 

 considerably reduced, and the use of turpentine entirely dis- 

 pensed with. I considered the whole clean and the general 

 health of the plants established ; I was assured, however, that 

 I should have a return of the old enemy in full force the en- 

 suing spring. That another season would prove whether my 

 work was effectual or not I was well aware, but I had 

 observed too many efforts of my tormentor to return prove 

 fruitless to have any fears regarding it. In the early part of 

 the period now under notice the early vines were pruned, the 

 loose bark rubbed off, and they were dressed over with the 

 following mixture, viz : one pound soft soap and two pounds 

 sulphur mixed together in the form of dough. Should there 

 be any difficulty in uniting the sulphur with the soap the 

 application of a little heat will overcome it. A portion of 

 this was taken as required, diluted with warm water, and well 

 rubbed over all parts of the wood with a painter's brush. 

 There may be some who would recommend an addition to 

 this mixture, others who may think it too strong, especially 

 when applied to the young wood. I have, however, found it 

 efficacious for all the purposes required, and I have never 

 known it to do any injury ; it has no unsightly appearance, 

 nor does the syringe act upon it disadvantageously. About 

 this time a few of the orchids were shifted, many of them 



