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ON PRESERVING THE BEAUTY OF FLOWERS. 



Besides the culture of flowers, which includes propagation, nursing, and 

 rearing them up to a perfect flowering state, other cares are necessary, in order 

 that the blossoms be not tarnished or destroyed by scorching sunshine, dashing 

 rain, or by withering winds ; and, above all, that insects may not be allowed to 

 ruin or disfigure those gems which have been nurtured with so much labour, and 

 expected with so much anxiety. 



In glass structures of any kind or dimension, the enclosed atmosphere is 

 completely under control ; neither too high or too low a temperature, dryness, or 

 humidity — neither the want of air or light — or these in excess, need be dreaded 

 as assailants ; and if insects appear, they are so much within the reach and 

 manipulation of the manager, that the plants need never suffer. But as regards 

 plants in the open air, and which are most commonly distributed over a consider- 

 able extent of surface, neither unceasing care, nor the utmost vigilance, is available 

 in defending favourite plants from various attacks to which they are liable. 



We are led to make these observations from having not long ago visited one 

 of the finest flower-gardens in the vicinity of the metropolis ; and in which the 

 collection of roses is a distinguishing feature. These, of every known species and 

 Variety, are here in the greatest profusion ; planted, managed, and trained in every 

 possible way : as creepers upon the ground, as standards in every kind of device, 

 as well upon elegant wire trelliage as without, and also upon a considerable length 

 of south wall. The rose-trees were all in the highest health, and covered with the 

 most exuberant display of promising buds. The very prospect of such a magnifi- 

 cent bloom of roses was delectable even in idea. But the prospect was clouded 

 by what we clearly foresaw would be an unavoidable sequence — the trees, and 

 shoots, and buds, were literally enveloped in myriads of aphides, which had then 

 seated themselves on almost every plant, particularly those on walls, and such as 

 were trained as round-headed standards, and which would most certainly mar 

 the beauty of the general bloom. 



Now what remedy can be provided against this serious drawback on the 

 pleasures of the flower-garden \ Were the trees in a house, or if they were in 

 pots, they could be enclosed in a glazed frame : there they could be fumigated 

 and the insects speedily banished. But in the open borders, on walls, and as 

 single standards, there is difficulty in applying fumigation effectually ; and yet we 

 think the difficulty is really not insurmountable. 



Every florist knows the use of the fumigating bellows, and how useful they are 

 in forcing-houses and frames. Now a fumigating-cloth, made of light canvas and 

 of a sufficient size, would answer well for walls ; and the same cloth supported 

 over a bed, or single plant, by a light moveable skeleton frame of eitherwood orwire, 

 would be quite effectual for confining smoke long enough to prove mortal to the 



