266 General Notices. 



and summer seasons, when work is pressing ; thus time is saved by having 

 crocks previously prepared, and plants are benefited by judiciously arranged 

 drainage, which is sure to be effectual. (Gard. Chron., 1846, p. 389.) 



Destruction of Aphides with Carbonate of Ammonia. — Elsewhere will be 

 found various receipts for the destruction of the aphides which are swarm- 

 ing in our gardens. The efficacy of each receipt is vouched for by its 

 advocate, and, we doubt not, in all cases truly. Tobacco-water, tobacco- 

 dust, soap-suds, and gas-water, all have their admirers. We patronize 

 smelling-salts. 



We doubt not, however, that complaints may and will come of the inu- 

 tility of all these applications. People fancy that it is enough to throw or 

 trundle the fluid over the infested bushes, once for all, and the thing is 

 done. They forget that no application whatever can reach the insects that 

 lurk in the folds of the leaves ; that others will be missed even on the sur- 

 face ; and that these creatures multiply at a rate somewhat greater than 

 even the population of London. Thousands and tens of thousands may be 

 destroyed to-night, and to-morrow others fall into the ranks and recruit the 

 legions. 



One or two applications of any sort can be productive of little relief. 

 They must be frequently repeated, and skilfully, by sharp and quick expul- 

 sions in small quantity from a fine-rosed syringe. If that is done, we 

 guarantee the riddance of the pest by means of carbonate of ammonia ; for 

 we have removed it ourselves within the week. 



As to the proportion of carbonate of ammonia (smelling-salts) which it 

 is expedient to use, that depends upon its quality. If bought fresh of the 

 wholesale chemists, half an ounce to a quart of water is enough ; but it is 

 often much weaker. 



It has the great merit of being clean and effectual; besides which it im- 

 proves the health of the foliage very much. All the other washes, although 

 they be as powerful, are dirty, and therefore objectionable in flower gar- 

 dens. {Gard. Chron., 1846, p. 371.) 



Starch a remedy for Scale Insect. — T. G. sends a bit of bark cut from the 

 branch of a Brown Beurr6 pear, to show how eflScacious a remedy for the 

 muscle scale is a little thin starch applied to the tree by the garden engine ; 

 but it will also be observed from the accompanying twig that all the scale 

 insects do not come out at the same time, and therefore it is desirable to 

 repeat the operation every day or two for a week at least. [Nothing can 

 be more satisfactory.] (Gard. Chron., 1846, p. 372.) 



Management of Neiv Holland Plants. — Now is the time to encourage a 

 rapid and sturdy growth in corrseas, epacrises, pimeleas,chorozemas,lesche- 

 naultias, polygalas, Ericas, &c. &c. A constant stopping of gross shoots 

 will be necessary, in order to equalize the sap and encourage the lower parts 

 of the plant. Let liberal shifts be given betimes in the season, in order that 

 the pots may be tolerably filled with roots before the approach of winter ; 

 thereby guarding against stagnation in the soil. As a general compost for 

 most of these tribes, I would recommend three parts of a fibrous heath soil 

 in a lumpy state, and abounding in sharp grit, to one part of a free turfy 



