STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 61 



The soil should usually be good black loam from the garden, 

 top soil from the woods or about decayed logs, or well decomposed 

 turf, and a mixture of sand. To these add one part from an old 

 hot-bed of thoroughly decomposed manure or from a manure 

 compost. 



The worst obstacles to success are the insects. A very dry 

 atmosphere is favorable to the red spider ; frequent syringing or 

 washing is sure death. The mealy bug and scale can only be kept 

 down by watching closely for them, and washing with warm soap 

 suds, which is not agreeable to their tastes. The louse or aphis 

 is readily killed by tobacco smoke. This is done in various ways, 

 the most convenient of which is to place the plants under a barrel 

 or box, and insert a dish of ignited coals on which tobacco has 

 been sprinkled and letting it remain ten or fifteen minutes. A 

 second application in a few days will effectually rid your plants of 

 this pest. 



The entire system of plant culture nTay be summed up briefly. 

 Secure plenty of light, even temperature, cleanliness, regularity 

 in watering and good drainage. 



In the window of an enthusiastic lady amatuer in Milwaukie in 

 February, the ivy is growing vigorously in a single pot under or 

 in the rear of the flower stand. The fuchsia has nearly one hun- 

 dred blossoms and buds on it. The tea roses, helitrope, gerani- 

 ums and calla have given blossoms almost constantly, rendering 

 the window an object of great attraction and pleasure during the 

 long, cold winter months. My only injunction to all is, go and 

 do likewise. 



Every flower is your friend ; it will require but little effort on 

 your part to be the friend of every flower." 



The President. I hardly need to say that I have been deeply 

 interested in the paper presented by Dr. Weston, and especially 

 so in his description of his own lawn and grounds ; and as it is a 

 well known fact that we can copy better than we can originate, 

 it struck me that it might be well for the Society to invite him to 

 furnish a plan of his premises for publication in our transactions, 

 as a guide or hint to others. We are aware that this subject of 

 lawns and ornamental planting has received considerable atten- 

 tion, even in our rural towns ; and I therefore mention it in this 

 connection. 



