Metroxylon 



Michaelmas Daisy 



METROXYLON (syn. CARLISTEMON AND 



ASGOPHOBA). 



Stove Palms (ord. Palma;) whose trunks contain a 

 great deal of pith, from which the Sago of commerce 

 is prepared, the species Rumphii and l;eve being 

 the chief contributors. Propagation is by seeds 

 and suckers. A sandy loam is the best soil, and a 

 strong heat is required. Metroxylon of Sprengel 

 is a synonym of Raphia. 



Principal Species : 



keve I Sago pro- vitieuse, Ivs. pinnate, 



Rumphii ] ducers. prickly. 



Other Species : 



elatum of gardens (now elatum of Martius (now 

 Heterospathe elata). Pigafetta elata). 



METTERNICHIA. 



Two or three species of stove evergreen trees 

 (ord. Solanaceai), of similar habit to Bruafslsia, 

 with showy flowers and shining leaves. Seeds nwy 

 be sown in spring in light, sandy soil. The older 

 plants like a compost of loam, leaf soil, and peat, 

 in equal proportions, with sand. 



Principal Species : 



principis, 3', Aug., wh., a neat and pretty plant. 



MEUM. 



A pretty, tufted, hardy perennial (ord. Umbel- 

 lifers) with aromatic foliage. It is not commonly 

 cultivated, but may be easily increased by division, 

 in spring, and will do in any ordinary garden soil. 

 It is useful in the border, the rock garden, or on 

 dry, sloping banks. 



Principal Species : 



athamanticum, 1' to 2', My., hdy., wh., Ivs. very 

 feathery. 



MEZEREON (w DAPHNE). 



MICE. 



There are two kinds of mice doing damage in 

 gardens the Vole, or Short-tailed Field Mouse 

 (Arvicola arvalis), and the Long-tailed Field Mouse 

 (Mus sylvaticiis). Both of these are plentiful and 

 destructive. The Vole has a much shorter tail, a 

 rounder head, and shorter ears than the Long- 

 tailed Field Mouse ; moreover, its fur has a notice- 

 able chestnut tinge. 



In the vegetable garden, mice are very destructive 

 amongst newly sown Peas and Beans, and if many 

 of them are present they will quickly spoil the 

 chances of a crop. Sprinkling the seed with oil or 

 water and rolling in red lead prior to sowing is 

 commonly practised as a deterrent, and this method 

 is to be recommended as both safe and expedi- 

 tious. Occasionally the rodents turn their attention 

 to young seedling plants of various kinds, and then 

 there is nothing for it but to trap them. In 

 Mushroom houses they are often a nuisance, 

 particularly when these houses adjoin stokeholes 

 or heated sheds of any kind. They are likewise 

 partial to ripe Grapes and Nuts. 



It is amongst bulbs generally, however, that the 



Metroxylon (of Sprengel, see Raphia). 



Mexican Lily (see Hippeatstrum He/jintf). 



Mexican Poppy (see Argemone}. 



Mexicail Tea (see Chenopodivm amlirosioides). 



Mexican Thistle (see Cnicus). 



Mei/enia (of Nees, see Tliunbergia). 



Meynia (of Roxburgh, see Vangucria). 



depredations of Voles are most to be feared. 

 Not only do they attack the bulbs in the open 

 border, but they are very fond of nibbling those 

 that are pot ted "up in the autumn for forcing. It 

 has been said that a layer of coal ashes is an 

 efficient protection against mice, but cases fre- 

 quently occur where the bulbs have been attacked 

 whilst yet in the plunging beds. Traps should be 

 set wherever the presence of mice and they 

 generally betray themselves by their odour is 

 suspected. The ordinary wood and wire cage trap 

 is excellent, and a piece of toasted cheese is a good 

 bait. A small break-back trap, which will cost 

 about threepence, is even better, and a few pieces 

 of Quaker Oats are an irresistible attraction. 

 These traps can easily be set in sheds, Mushroom 

 houses, and cold frames where bulbs are stored. 



'-/-/, 



MlCONIA HOOKEHIANA (si/ll. PULVEKULEXTA, 166 J). 73). 



In the open garden, (he well-known "Figure 

 Four " trap is a capital home-made contrivance, 

 and it will be well to keep four or five of these 

 traps set along each row of Peas and Beans. The 

 aid of the much abused cat may be invoked for 

 the outdoor garden, and in .storehouses and vineries 

 emptied of pot plants. A tame owl is, however, 

 easily worth three or four cats, and as far as can 

 be ascertained does po damage whatever. 



Poisons of various kinds may be laid down, but 

 only in places where children and domestic animals 

 have no access. Phosphorus paste, mixed with 

 a little lard and flour to disguise it, is a sufficiently 

 deadly compound, and strychnine, arsenic, and 

 white Hellebore are also employed occasionally. 

 It is not desirable to enlist the aid of these 

 virulent poisons except as a last resource. Two or 

 three poisoned mice may make a stove room or 

 greenhouse smell very disagreeably. 



MICHAELMAS DAISY (see AS- 

 TER). 



