26 
BEAUTIFUL GAEDEN FLOWEES. 
nice gritty soil round tlie sides of a flower pot, and 
placed in a cold frame or old liot-bed, and for a few 
days they should be shaded from the sun and kept 
close and moist. 
The most troublesome insect pests are the green fly 
and red spider, both appearing in hot dry seasons. 
They are best kept in check by frequently syringing 
the foliage morning and evening. To secure the 
quicker disappearance of greenfly, about lib. of 
quassia chips steeped in boiling water, and ^lb. of 
soft soap, may be diluted to about 10 gallons of water, 
to form an effective insecticide. During the winter 
and early spring months, slugs are apt to be trouble- 
some. A little slacked lime and soot strewn around 
and over the crowns will check their ravages. 
The Hollyhock fungus ( Puccinia malvacearum ) 
appears in brown or yellow spots on the under surface 
of the leaves, and when in great abundance prevents 
the proper development of the flowers. As a preven- 
tive 1 ounce of liver of sulphur, dissolved in 2-| to 5 
gallons of water, may be sprayed over the foliage with 
a fine syringe. Any old leaves in a very bad condition 
■with the fungus are best taken off carefully and 
burnt immediately. 
ALYSSUM.— Although there are 80 or 90 species 
belonging to this genus, only a few are attractive. 
The Sweet Alyssum (A. maritimum ) is a native plant 
6 to 10 inches high, with linear downy leaves and 
racemes of small, white, sweet-scented blossoms from 
June to September. There is a compact-growing 
form used as a carpet beneath taller plants during the 
“bedding out” season; and also a variegated form, 
