PRACTICAL FLORICULTURE. 



in more artificial culture, that in proportion to the vigor 

 of the subject should its food be supplied. The practice 

 of placing the pots in saucers filled with water is destruc- 

 tive to the health of most plants, as, of course, so long as 

 the water remains in the saucers, the soil is absorbing it 

 and the roots of the plant are saturated ; it is well 

 enough to use the saucers to prevent the soil from wash- 

 ing through, but the water should be applied at the sur- 

 face of the pot, and what little will pass through into 

 the saucer will do no harm. Another source of annoy- 

 ance to those growing plants in rooms is the various 

 insects that attack them. The most common and 

 injurious of these is the Aphis or Green-fly. In our green- 

 houses we keep this little pest in check by continued 

 fumigation with tobacco, but as this would not be prac- 

 ticable in rooms, recourse must be had to immersing the 

 plant in tobacco water, made of a strength having about 

 the color of strong tea. By dipping the plant in this 

 once in two weeks, or, when the plants are large, syring- 

 ing them with it, Aphides will never be seen. The Red 

 Spider and thrips are not so easily got rid of, but fortu- 

 nately they are not so common or injurious, unless in a 

 very high temperature and dry atmosphere. The only 

 way of arresting them is syringing or immersing as for 

 Green-fly. For more particulars see chapter on Insects. 

 There are no special soils necessary for the amateur to 

 trouble himself about in cultivating parlor flowers. For 

 our opinions on this head see chapter on soils. Neither 

 should he tamper with guano or other fertilizers ; equal- 

 ization of temperature and moisture will secure the end 

 desired. 



WINDOW-GARDENING IN LONDON COTTAGE GARDENS. 



One of the most refreshing sights to an American 

 arriving in London during the summer months is the 

 wonderful diversity and beauty of the flowers cultivated 



