I have been asked about the poison in Primula Ohconica and 
find some information regarding it in a recent copy of "Popular 
Gardening." The poison appears to be in the oily exudation 
which is produced by glandular hairs on the leaves. Some people 
are susceptible to injury by it, while others are immune. Wash- 
ing with a weak solution of lead acetate immediately after 
contact with the leaves would probably remove the trouble. 
If violets, which have been put in cold frames or cool houses Violets 
for winter blooming, show signs of yellowing leaves, remove and 
destroy affected leaves and spray the rest with potassium sul- 
phide, one ounce to three gallons of water. 
I am told that wistaria, that beautiful vine which gives us Wistaria 
all such anxiety in regard to its blossoming each year, will bloom 
more freely if the long shoots, not required for extending its 
growth, are pruned back to within two or three buds of the main 
stalk. This will result, in time, in the setting of many flower 
buds. I have not tried this myself, but think it sounds most 
reasonable. 
If all sprays and washes are mixed the day before they are to Insecti- 
be applied, the results will be found much more satisfactory. No cides 
small amount of insecticide can be dissolved rapidly in a large 
quantity of, water and applied immediately with particularly 
great success. If we can induce our gardeners to prepare spray 
material a day ahead of its application, I am sure the results 
will be most encouraging. 
This department would very much like to hear from users of Melrosine 
"Melrosine" in regard to its efficacy as a rose bug exterminator. 
It is a new and much heralded remedy and after a season of use, 
its merits, if any, should have been proved beyond a doubt. 
Kindly send replies to Mrs. Benjamin Warren, Grosse Pointe 
Shores, Michigan. 
As this is the season when we frequently receive inquiries Poison Ivy 
as to a remedy for Ivy poisoning, we venture to repeat what 
appeared in a current magazine a few days ago. "Green leaves 
of the Catnip, Nepeta cataria, rubbed on the affected parts until 
the juice runs, never fails, no matter how advanced the ease may 
be. The catnip is said to be so antagonistic to Poison Ivy that 
the latter will not grow where catnip abounds." 
Failing a supply of Catnip, we may mention that 20 drams of 
sulphate of quinine and 6 ounces of water, used as a lotion, acts 
like a charm. 
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