100 HOUSE PLANTS 



the plants may be planted on them in the 

 spring, which will save some work in the fall. 

 A good fibrous loam to which there has 

 been an addition of peat or leafmould and 

 well decayed horse manure and sand, will 

 make an excellent soil for growing these 

 plants. 



The bouvardia is rather hard to trans- 

 plant, so must be carefully handled and, 

 after transplanting, shaded and frequently 

 syringed. 



Late in April, or early in May, prune the 

 plants back and, as soon as the weather per- 

 mits, plant in the open again. Plants which 

 have reached the age of four or five years 

 will make beautiful specimens. 



The mealy bug and the aphides will be 

 troublesome. The best way of combating 

 these pests is spraying about once a week, 

 with some insecticide, such as the prepared 

 forms of tobacco. 



THE FRAGRANT STEVIA 



The most fragrant flower which you can 

 be sure of having for Christmas is the stevia 

 (JPiqueria trinervia). Take cuttings in Jan- 

 uary or just as soon as it is through flowering, 



