766 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



(made by sinking a bag of soot in any large tub) and some 

 liquid cow-manure. These two manures are most useful in giving 

 colour .to such foliage plants as Palms, Aspidistras, and the like. 

 This is best applied in spring when activity is being resumed 

 after the winter rest. With flowering plants the stimulant is of 

 most service when applied at flowering time, and just prior 

 thereto. 



Insect and Other Pests. — These are not numerous, and are 

 readily got rid of if measures are taken before the pests have a 

 chance to establish themselves. Greenfly are amongst the most 

 troublesome ; but occasionally Red-Spider, Scale, and Mealy Bug 

 are introduced. In the case of Greenfly, it is impossible to 

 fumigate, as in a greenhouse. For the average householder, hot 

 water applied at about i4odeg. will be the insecticide readiest 

 to hand. It should be applied with a syringe. In the case of 

 Cactuses, these should be laid upon their sides during the 

 operation. 



Foliage Plants. — First on the list of this most useful section 

 are the Palms. To be successful with Palms in an unheated 

 structure, it is necessary to be careful as to the source of supply, 

 to select only those species and varieties which have proved their 

 worth, and to purchase them at the proper season. 



Of the species best suited to room decoration the following 

 may be named : Howea Forsteriana (Kentia Forsteriand), 



Fig. 505.— Livistona chinensis. 



Livistona chinensis (Latania borbonica) (Fig. 505), Trachy- 

 carpus excelsus (Chammrops excelsd), Trachycarpus Fortunei 

 (Chammrops Fortunei), Rhapis flabelliformis, Phcenix rupicola, 

 Phanix reclinata, Cocos Weddeliana, C. plumosa (Leopoldinia 



