464 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND C0T1AGE GARDENER 
[ June 12, 1884. 
I tried it once before thinning, but will never do so again. “ C., Dorset," 
gives me and others much information on this subject—information 
which is not usually given unless elicited by amateurs like myself, learn¬ 
ing and working under difficulties, giving their experience and results 
freely. First-class gardeners often have failures and are at fault, but 
they do not generally own them or publish them. I wrote from experience 
and results. I think the slender stalks of the Grapes are often injured 
by the use of the syringe at the time I named, and especially when 
recently thinned, and there is not much heat at command. 
My remarks had more reference to the use of Hudson’s dry soap at 
that particular time than in condemning the syringe when used with due 
care at proper times. Where there is little or no heat at command I 
would never syringe after the Grapes were thinned, but plenty of water 
must be thrown on the floor. Scalding results more from water hanging 
on them a long time than from real heat or other cause.—J. E. Waiting, 
Grange-over-Sands. 
INSECT PROSPECTS OF 1884. 
We have had an April and May exceptionally dry. One very obvious 
and natural result is the swarms of the aphis tribes, which have greatly 
infested many plants lately, especially those of the Rosaceous order, both 
wild and cultivated. These insects do not like the heavy rains that we 
sometimes have during spring, by which they are washed off their food- 
plants, and seldom regain their footing ; but a low temperature with 
easterly wind does not hurt them at all—nay, appears rather salutary to 
them. It has been noticed that weather which favours them does not so 
well suit their insect enemies, hence is an additional cause of their rapid 
increase. Another insect common at this season, and of rather disgusting 
habit (Cercopis spumaria), the Cuckoo-spit, if not more prolific than usual, 
has proved particularly hurtful to plants suffering already from the 
unseasonable weather, for the dryness of air has led the species to take 
deep draughts of the sap, which the plants could ill afford to lose. 
Centipedes and millipedes have been reported abundant in various 
localities, and it is stated the wireworms (larvte of Elater sp.) are benefited 
by a moist winter, as they can continue to feed, while frosts drive them 
deeper into the earth and render them torpid. 
There is, however, another side more favourable; the mild and wet 
winter has rendered it easy for many quadrupeds and birds that feed 
partly or entirely upon insects to remove them from their winter retreats, 
underground or in the stems or roots of plants. Then the dryness of the 
land during the past spring has probably checked the emergence of some 
moths and other insects which had been in the pupa state since the 
autumn ; also, amongst the early broods of caterpillars, hatching out of 
the eggs laid late in autumn or in the spring of this year, there has been 
much destruction of life, consequent upon the very ungenial nights and 
the fierce winds that have been so prevalent.— Entomologist. 
CEREUS MACD0NALDL3E. 
The finest Cactus bloom I have ever seen was at Cromwell House on 
Tuesday evening, May 3rd. Part of the arch on which it is grown may be 
seen in fig. 93 of your issue of May 22nd, and is formed of galvanised wire 
netting stuffed with moss, in which the several varieties of Cereus root 
freely. It opened after sunset, and when the house was illuminated with 
electric light the scene was beyond description. The great specimens of 
C. peruvianus and various shades of colour in flower on smaller plants 
'below gave the whole such an appearance as is seldom seen in an English 
garden. The bloom when fully expanded measured 14 inches across, and 
when closed in the morning was 17 inches from the stem to the top of the 
petals. Mr. Wright crossed it with the pollen of C. speciosissimus. Mr. 
Major may well be proud of his collection with such gems as the above, 
and I am sure every grower of Cactese must feel greatly indebted to Mr. 
Castle for his very interesting and instructive articles on Cactaceous 
plants.— G. W. Cummins. 
SMALL POTS FOR AURICULAS—WOOLLY APHIS. 
Will you allow me to add a few words to the remarks you kindly 
inserted last week on two points that I find I had omitted ? The former 
of these will be opportune to amateurs intending to try Auriculas. 
I would suggest that until better advised they use small pots. I 
nowhere see any good, but much the other way, resulting from the use of 
pots beyond 4 inches in diameter for the largest plants, and after a 
comparative trial some varieties, especially the more inconstant, as 
Lycurgus, Mary Ann, Smiling Beauty, will be placed in the 3^-inch 
pots I most prefer. I have over and again observed the plants bloom 
indifferently where 5 and 6-inch pots are used, and all the best collections 
I know are restricted to the smaller sizes named. 
Last month I saw the sole case of woolly aphis, which came under 
my notice, although I was told of another near. It had been imported 
from the south, and before it was detected the roots of nearly all the 
plants were infested with it, but by washing and planting them in frames 
the pest had been greatly reduced. I declined with thanks the suggestion 
to “ take a breed and try.” I did not like its appearance, and shall 
continue by washing with fir-tree oil all arrivals from proclaimed or 
suspected districts, and the enforcement of strict quarantine, to prevent 
its obtaining any footing with me. 
May I add that, passing over the slight misprint in my last notes 
(page 446) in reference to the way “ one gets on ” in getting hold of 
the rarer varieties, the substitution of “plantation” for “plantain” 
somewhat increased the extent of the odds against the Auricula.— 
A Northern Amateur. 
CYRTANTHUS MACKENII. 
Several very beautiful and brilliantly coloured species of Cyrtanthus 
are known; but though the one shown in fig. 108 does not excel in brightness 
of colouring it is one of the most graceful and free-flowering of the genus. 
The flowers are creamy white, or occasionally with a distinct yellow 
tint, and they are produced on strong scapes 6 to 9 inches in height. It is 
very easy of cultivation, succeeding well in an ordinary greenhouse, but it 
requires a moderately rich light soil, and plenty of water when growing. 
I have had it for several seasons extremely fine in 60 and 48-size pots, and 
strongly recommend it for more extended cultivation.— L. 
CERTIFICATED PLANTS. 
The following plants were honoured with certificates at the recent 
Show of the Royal Botanic Society at Regent’s Park. 
To Messrs, j. Laing & Co., Forest Hill, for 
Tvberous Begomas, General Gordon. —Double, bright scarlet, very 
full and well formed. 
Distinction. —Single, soft clear rose with a white centre ; petals very 
round, and general form of the flower admirable. One of the most hand¬ 
some varieties yet obtained, and certainly one which will become a great 
favourite. 
Earl of Chesterfield. —Single, a magnificent flower 4i inches in 
diameter, rich bright scarltt; most imposing. 
Lady Chesterfield. —Single, of a bright pleasing rose colour ; flower 
