336 
ON THE RIPENING OF THE GROWTH OF PLANTS, 
Insects. 
I must now draw my observations to a close, by a few remarks on the insects which 
most infest the Camellia ; these are, as far as my experience goes, the scaly insect, and 
the ordinary aphides. 
I before alluded to tbe application of soft-soap water for the extirpation of the scaly 
insect ; my mode of application is as follows : — 
Soft-soap is beat up in warm water after the rate of two ounces to a gallon of water ; 
a vessel containing such mixture is kept at hand during the period of the formation of the 
bud ; that is to say, from the time the flower-buds are first formed, until they are nearly 
as large as peas. 
I before observed that regular syringings would be necessary ; instead, then, of syringing 
twice a day with clear water, I use this mixture, and after a week or two of this treatment, 
the scale will have withered or disappeared. 
For the ordinary aphides, of course, fumigation is had recourse to : the fly generally 
makes its appearance whilst the young shoots are extending, and the operation had better 
be gentle, and repeated two evenings in succession. 
In conclusion, I beg to say, that I am perfectly aware that good Camellia culture is 
carried out by plans somewhat different from the practice here detailed. The same, however, 
may be said of the culture of most other tribes of plants, and although I do not by any 
means arrogate to myself the only good practice in this respect, I may add that the course 
here laid down will flower the Camellia during the dull winter months in high perfection. 
ON THE RIPENING OF THE GROWTH OF PLANTS, AND 
ADAPTATIONS OF TREATMENT. 
By Mr. Moore. 
In the whole routine of gardening, few operations are more important than those 
conducive to the proper maturation, or “ ripening,” of the growth of plants ; and in 
consequence of the variableness, and the frequent dampness of the climate of England, 
these, more than many other matters that call for the gardener’s care, may be said to 
claim constant attention. This applies to all the departments of gardening — equally in 
the hothouse as in the open air. 
The maturation of the growth of plants is a physiological question. This part of the 
subject it will be convenient, first to dispose of, by a brief summary of the facts which bear 
most directly upon it, leaving a more comprehensive and detailed elucidation to be sought 
in the many elementary dissertations on this branch of science. External to the plant, 
climate and food are the agencies to be dealt with. 
Plants grow by drawing up from the soil through the agency of their roots certain 
alimentary matters, which the roots absorb in a liqueform or gaseous state. These matters 
so taken up by the plants form the sap — crude sap. If they are extracted from within a 
moderate distance of the surface in a soil of proper mechanical texture, that is to say, a 
pervious or porous soil, the plants obtain a due proportion both of the gaseous and watery 
elements proper for their nourishment, provided the soil itself is suitable in its nature ; 
but if they are drawn from too great a distance from the surface, and especially if also 
from a soil, in which the proper mechanical texture does not exist, the watery elements 
will preponderate, the plants will take up watery sap, usually to be had in great abundance 
under such conditions, and hence will follow a much more luxuriant, and while the condi- 
tions last, a more continued, growth than would have taken place under opposite circum- 
stances. The former of these conditions of the soil and roots is favourable to the ripening 
of the growth in due season ; the latter is conducive to prolonged and excited growth, and 
