166 KEPORT 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



composed of a pure ground, somewhat siliceous and dry. Moisture and 

 the presence of clay is injurious, the plant being extremely sensitive to 

 an excess of water, and would in such case immediately perish. A 

 southern exposure is the most favorable. The best time for putting the 

 seeds in the ground is from March to April. It can be done even in 

 the month of February if the weather will permit it. After the soil has 

 been prepared and the seeds are sown they are covered by a stratum of 

 ground mixed with some vegetable mold, when the roller is slightly ap- 

 X)lied to it. Every five or six days the watering is to be renewed in 

 order to facilitate the germination. At the end of about thirty or forty 

 days the young plants make their appearance, and as soon as they have 

 gained strength enough they are transplanted at a distance of about six 

 inches from each other. Three months after this operation they are 

 transplanted again at a distance of from fourteen to twenty inches, ac- 

 cording to their strength. Each transplantation requires, of course, a 

 new watering, which, however, should only be moderately applied. The 

 blossoming of the Pyrethmm commences the second year, toward the 

 end of May, and continues to the end of Soptember." Mr. Willemot 

 also states that the i^lant is very little sensitive to cold, and needs no 

 shelter, even during severe winters. 



The above quoted directions have reference to the climate of France, 

 and as the cultivation of the plant in many parts of IS'orth America is 

 yet an experiment, a great d-eal of independent judgment must be used. 

 The plants should be treated in the same manner as the ordinary Asters 

 of the garden or other perennial Compositse. 



As to the Dalmatian plant, it is well known that Mr. G. K. Milco, a 

 native of Dalmatia, has of late years successfully cultivated Fyrethrum 

 cinerariccfolium near Stockton, Oal., and the powder from the California- 

 •grown plants, to which Mr. Milco has given the name of ''Buhach," re- 

 tains all the insecticide qualities and is far superior to most of the im- 

 ported powder, as we know from experience. Mr. Milco gives the fol- 

 lowing advice about planting — advice which applies more particularly 

 to the Pacific coast: '^Prepare a small bed of fine, loose, sandy, loamy 

 soil, slightly mixed with fine manure. Mix the seed with dry sand and 

 sow carefully on top of the bed. Then with a common rake disturb the 

 surface of the ground half an inch in depth. Sprinkle the bed every 

 evening until sprouted; too much water will cause injury. After it is 

 well sprouted, watering twice a week is sufficient. When about a month 

 old weed carefully. They should be transplanted to loamy soil during 

 the rainy season of winter or spring." 



Our own experience with Pyrethrum roseum as well as Fyrethrum 

 cineraricefolium in Washington, D. C, has been so far quite satisfactory. 

 We have observed that the seed often lies a long time in the ground before 

 germinating, and that it germinates best when not watered too heavily. 

 We think that the too rapid absorption of moisture often causes the 



