THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Insect Pests. 



Mealy bug is the worst insect that Cactus growers have to encounter, and whole collec- 

 tions have been much disfigured by it. Owing to many of the plants having a thick 

 covering of either hairs or spines, cleaning by hand is almost impossible, and the best 

 remedy is petroleum and soft soap. In every gallon of water, heated to 120°, dissolve 

 2 ozs. of soft soap, and then add 2 ozs. or a wineglassful of petroleum, mixing these 

 ingredients, and keeping the oil from floating on the surface by means of a syringe. Lay 

 the infested plants on their sides, and forcibly syringe them with the petroleum mixture, 

 this quickly cleaning them. An overdose of the oil might greatly disfigure the plants, 

 hence the necessity for returning every second syringeful of the mixture into the can 

 holding it. Those at all nervous about the effect of the petroleum upon their plants may 

 follow the insecticide with a syringing of clear water, and should also shade from bright 

 sun for the next few days. The stages, both in the under and upper sides, also every 

 part of the house where nothing is growing, must be scalded before the plants are 

 re-arranged in their positions. White scale, another common pest, may be cleared off 

 the plants by the aid of the same mixture. Thrips and green fly are easily destroyed 

 and kept under by an occasional application of nicotine fumes. 



SELECTIONS OF CACTACEOUS PLANTS. 



Under the above denomination, as previously stated, arc several genera and sub-genera 

 of plants closely allied in prevailing characteristics, but differing greatly in form and 

 stature. Many are formidably armed with spines, while others have smooth, fleshy stems ; 

 some are of rampant growth, forming impenetrable hedges in their native habitats, 

 while others are dwarf and club-shaped, or assume various grotesque forms ; some 

 produce insignificant flowers, but the blooms of most are beautiful. Species worthy of 

 cultivation will be named under the different sections alphabetically. 



CEREUS .-TORCH THISTLE. 



A very large genus, which includes upwards of two hundred cultivated species. 

 Our selections must therefore be limited, yet in the aggregate will suffice for a good 

 representative collection. They will be arranged in three groups, the plants in each 

 showing well-marked divergencies. 1. — The Globose and Columnar form, remarkable 

 for the luxuriant growth of many of the species, and the striking beauty of the 



