Rules, Notes and Recipes 
197 
colored pot takes up water readily and also dries out as readily. This, 
however, is a good point, as the evaporation of moisture from the sides 
of the pot tends to keep the soil sweet and pure, and to a small degree 
allow access of air to the roots. On the other hand, a hard burned, 
dark red colored pot takes up water very slowly and retains it longer, 
tending to cause sourness in the soil. The “medium burn” pot should 
therefore be specified when buying pots, as these are favored by suc- 
cessful growers. (For these notes and illustration we are indebted to 
the Whilldin Pottery Co. 
Primula Poisoning. — A correspondent to “The Florists’ Review” 
says that a perfect cure for the irritation caused by Primula obconica, 
is one teaspoonful of sugar of lead to three quarts of water. The 
lotion takes two or three days to complete the cure, and not only 
allays irritation but stamps out the poison entirely. 
Rats, How to Destroy. — The chief means of keeping rats from 
one’s place is to have rat-proof buildings, and for preventing the increase 
or presence of rats have perfect cleanliness everywhere, no waste food 
or shelter places for them. Dogs, cats, ferrets, hawks, owls, skunks, 
coyotes, weasels and minks are among their natural enemies and should 
be encouraged. Trapping, poisoning, fumigating, and the use of micro- 
organisms (bacteria) are other means adopted for their eradication. 
Full particulars as to the destruction of rats are given in Farmers’ 
Bulletin 369, published by the U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. 
Rental of Greenhouse. — Much depends upon the value of the 
land upon which the greenhouse stands, and what the greenhouse itself 
is, whether old, or new, and how built and equipped. The proper way 
to get at this is first to determine how much capital is invested in the 
land and greenhouse, then charge a yearly rental which will cover 
interest on investment at a fair per cent., plus taxes, insurance, repairs, 
and an allowance for deterioration of greenhouse. 
Reviving Toung Trees- — When young trees have become dry and 
bark-shrunken from exposure, they should be stored in a damp, dark 
cellar, or, better still, buried for a few days in the soil. 
Rhododendron Lace Fly. — Knowing that Wm. Kleinheinz of the 
Wanamaker estate at Ogontz, Pa., had been much troubled with the 
lace wing fly on Rhododendrons but particularly Azalea amoena, we 
wrote asking if he had found a cure. He replies: “I am able to con- 
trol the lace fly by spraying with Imperial soap about three times a 
year, beginning around May 15 and repeating in three weeks. My 
Rhododendrons have much improved since I used Imperial soap.” 
Rose Bushes, Checking Black Spot on. — Spraying Rose bushes 
in the Fall with Bordeaux mixture will check black spot disease, accord- 
ing to botanists of the Ohio Exp. Sta. Burning affected leaves will kill 
the fungus, which otherwise would be carried over Winter. Large, 
irregular black spots on the upper side of Rose leaves show the presence 
of this disease. Bushy varieties are attacked most seriously. Diseased 
leaves turn yellow and drop prematurely. Bordeaux mixture is made 
with two tablespoonfuls of copper sulphate and a half-cup of hydrated 
lime to a gallon of water. The materials must first be dissolved sepa- 
rately and then mixed. 
