THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



foliage or flowers, for these, if allowed to remain, form breeding- 

 grounds for fungi, as well as looking unsightly. Also l)y con- 

 tinually cleaning the house noxious insects are turned out of 

 their lairs, whilst when the glass is kept clean the maximum 

 amount of light is admitted. All these may seem trivial matters, 

 but it is attention to such small details that makes the difference 

 between good and bad cultivation. 



Never allow a plant to spoil for want of a stake. Many 

 weak-stemmed or top-heavy plants require stakes, and in the 

 case of those that throw up several flowering stems each should 

 have a separate one, which looks better than when only one 

 is placed in the centre. Use the stakes as thin as possible, 

 provided they are sufficiently strong for the purpose. Bamboos 

 painted green are best, being light, strong, and durable, and 

 they can be obtained in all sizes. 



Arrangement is a matter requiring careful consideration. 

 Never put two similar colours together. It is better to have 

 batches of one species arranged in groups. The finest effects 

 are obtained when two species of contrasting colours are mixed 

 together, and fine foliage plants dotted in between, A splendid 

 eff'ect may be obtained by mixing plants having tall loose spikes 

 of flower amongst other dwarfer -growing kinds of a contrasting 

 colour. 



Avoid overcrowding. A far better effect is always obtained by 

 having a few good groups with plenty of room between the 

 plants, so that their full beauty may be seen, than by having a 

 lot huddled together, which is not good either for the plants or 

 for the observer. 



Pests are a continual source of trouble to the cultivator 

 of greenhouse plants. Greenfly, Red-spider, Thrips, Mealy-bug, 

 and Scale are the chief enemies. For all these, except 

 the last, fumigation with the XL All Vaporiser and Liquid 

 is the best and safest remedy for any plant, whether in blossom 

 or not, but is rather expensive. Tobacco-paper may also be used 

 with good effect for the first-named, but many plants cannot 

 stand it, especially if young and tender, whilst most flowers will 

 suffer. Syringing or sponging with some insecticide is very effective, 

 and is necessary for Scale, but these preparations must be used 

 with care, especially in the case of young or rough-leaved plants. 

 Small plants may be dipped in a solution of insecticide, but in 

 any case they should all be washed clean an hour or so later with 

 pure water. Perhaps the safest insecticide is Fir-tree Oil. The 

 best of all consists of pure paraffin, soft-soap, and warm water, 

 but should only be used by an experienced man. It has been 

 said that " the man who can use paraffin properly in a garden 

 IS a jewel." Dissolve from loz. to 20z. of soft-soap in igal. of 

 water, adding lOz. of neat paraffin; then boil for half-an-hour. 



