378 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



term it the white spicier to distinguish it from our old enemy the 

 red spider. When I was first troubled with this, I tried insecti- 

 cides without avail. Speaking about it one day to Mr. Thos. 

 Baines, I was advised by him to syringe frequently with water 

 strongly impregnated with soot. This I found most effectual. 

 Tobacco powder will answer the same purpose ; but as Crotons 

 delight in plenty of moisture, I consider the other by far the 

 better remedy. 



In the cultivation of ornamental plants (and others also) 

 I attach great importance to good and suitable soil for each 

 respective kind. Peat of fibrous character, with the best loam 

 obtainable, and leaf- soil from Oak or Beech leaves, form the 

 staple composts. Good soil is far better by itself than poor 

 soil with either artificial or natural manure added to it. The 

 latter may sustain a plant for a time, but must fail much 

 sooner than the former. It is better to pot into good soil, and 

 then to feed with manure when the pot is well filled with 

 roots. The work of potting pays for being done carefully. 

 Bushing this work through in a hurry does not compensate 

 for the immediate gain in point of time. Firm potting for 

 all plants of permanent character is far preferable to a loose 

 state of the soil, the ultimate gain being less labour with 

 respect not only to watering, but also repotting sooner than 

 would otherwise be required. 



The culture of plants for decorative use in small pots is 

 deserving of more recognition in respect to the foregoing 

 remarks than it would at first glance appear to be. When a 

 plant has fairly well filled its pot with roots, and it should per- 

 chance have the appearance of not being in the best possible 

 condition, it may be inferred that another shift will have a 

 good effect. Thus the plant when in a larger pot is not so 

 well adapted to its uses, even if the remedial measure be bene- 

 ficial. Stove plants, which are used in various ways for house 

 decoration, will bear repotting better, and will suffer less from 

 exposure when in proportionately smaller pots. No plants should 

 be repotted until they have thoroughly well laid hold of the 

 soil of their last shift ; otherwise the younger roots will suffer 

 through the soil remaining moist for too long a time, being 

 consequently cooler also. Ornamental foliage plants when in 

 good health will bear liberal treatment as regards watering. 



