102 HOME FLORICULTURE 



which condition it will bloom better than it will in a 

 pot containing soil which is not completely filled 

 ivith roots. 



The great drawback to the successful culture of 

 the Cineraria in the sitting room is its liability to 

 attacks of the aphis. Quite often before you suspect 

 the presence of this insect the underside of the leaves 

 will be covered with them. If not driven away your 

 plants will be ruined. I have found the soap insecti- 

 cide heretofore spoken of most effective in fighting 

 this pest. Dip the plants in the liquid, instead of 

 showering them, and let it dry on the lower side of 

 the leaf, where it seems to leave a "tang" which the 

 aphis is not fond of. Give ordinary soil, and moderate 

 amount of water, with plenty of light. 



Do not attempt to carry over old plants for a 

 second season's flowering. Get young, strong plants 

 each season, in fall, if you want fine flowers from the 

 Cineraria. 



The Calceolaria 



This is a fine plant for late summer and fall use. 

 It produces a wonderful profusion of flowers in large, 

 branching clusters, very peculiar in shape. Each 

 flower is a sort of bag, like our native Moccasin 

 Flower. The colors range through yellow, maroon 

 and crimson, most varieties being thickly spotted with 

 contrasting colors. The plants can be grown from 

 seed, or you can buy them in spring from the florist. 

 The seed, like that of most greenhouse plants, is very 

 fine, and extreme care must be taken in sowing it not 

 to cover deeply with soil or it will fail to germinate. 

 The directions given for Mimulus apply equally well 

 to the Calceolaria. Give it a moderate amount of 

 water, ordinary soil and sunshine. Like the Cineraria, 

 it is subject to attacks from the aphis, and must be 



