March 10, 1891. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
223 
be speedily restored to health or the imeets destroyed before they 
reach others. 
The Black Currant mite, as far as my observations went, is on 
the wing towards the end of July and during August. We tried 
syringing the trees at that time with petroleum and water, which 
we thought had the desired effect from the improved appearance 
•of the trees afterwards. But the work of syringing these trees on 
a large scale perhaps for some years would entail too much labour, 
and prove too costly for those who are engaged in growing for the 
market. As long as infested trees remained in the neighbourhood 
it would be necessary to continue the practice. In gardens w'here 
■only small quantities are grown it is worth trying, and other experi¬ 
ments in the same direction with other solutions might with advan- 
4age be tried.—W m. Baruney. 
Disas. 
'Oe the greenhouse species of this genus, D. grandiflora is much 
“the best known, and is rather extensively, though not always, well 
grown. There are a few forms of it in cultivation. D. g. superba 
is very distinct in colour, and more dwarf in habit than the species. 
It sometimes happens that D. grandiflora proves troublesome to 
grow in some localities. We have seen plants, apparently well 
cared for, having a hard struggle for existence ; while some, under 
-similar conditions in other collections, flourish. 
The temperature best suited for Disas has been the subject of 
much controversy, and has apparently been well thrashed out. It 
is, however, apparent that a certain temperature is not all-important, 
■probably not the most important of their wants. It is well known 
that this Disa will bear a considerable amount of cold without 
injury, and as long as frost is kept away may be considered safe. 
This, however, is only a proof of its power to exist, not to flourish. 
'When inured to very low temperature it does not pay for the room 
it occupies, and well deserves a more generous treatment. 
A night temperature of 40° is safer than a lower one during the 
winter months. Many plants are doomed to a sunless northern 
aspect for life through the mistaken kindness of the cultivator. 
We have known instances where failures that have occurred for 
years have been reversed through removing the plants to a sunny 
southern aspect from October to the end of April. Much syringing 
is not desirable, though a moist state both of roots and atmo¬ 
sphere is imperative during the warm portion of the year. To 
■maintain this the plants should be looked over morning and after¬ 
noon, and the stages flooded where practicable, the plants being 
stood on inverted pots' in the water. In addition to this, the floors 
and walls should be kept continually moist, and the plants lightly 
syringed twice daily. Those who prefer a higher temperature and 
sunnier aspect for their plants have to employ more water during 
■the summer, also ventilate more and shade more heavily, conditions 
we should not care to adopt. 
Disa racemosa is a species of more recent introduction, and 
•deserves extended culture. It is not so fastidious as the foregoing 
■species, and will bear more ill-treatment without any material 
injury. We had under our care a few years since some plants, six 
•of which were allowed to become quite dry, and remained so during 
the winter months. When taken in hand in February, and treated 
like the others, they grew, and threw up their flower stems equal 
to the rest. We could not detect the slightest difference between 
them when in flower. This is mentioned, not to encourage drying 
■or neglect, but to show that should any such thing occur loss is 
not likely to follow. Had we treated D grandiflora in this manner 
we should probably have a sorry tale to tell.—W. R. AVilliams, 
•Hreat ]\[arloio. 
BEGONIA SEMPERFLORENS CARNEA. 
Durinu the first three months of the year this Begonia will 
■firobably yield more bright flowers for cutting than any other, 
provided it is grown well and in a suitable temperature. In the 
<3onservatory it does not flower profusely unless the temperature of 
that structure is kept about 55°. It is necessary the plant 
continue growing if a succession of flower trusses is to be pro- 
•duced. It appears to flower naturally during February and March, 
but to flower it well earlier it is necessary to keep it a little 
warmer. Stock is readily raised from cuttings which are better 
rooted in July than at the present time, but the shoots selected for 
cuttings must have an eye at the base or they are no good, as they 
will only lengthen and not throw up from the ba e. If once plants 
of this nature are dried or partially so, and cut back, they never 
start again. Where it is desired to increase the stock as much as 
possible from one or more plants cut them back at the present time, 
and suitable cuttings will be produced from the base. The best 
method of managing this plant is to place it after flowering in a 
cool house and keep it rather dry for a time fully exposed to the 
sun, and then cut it close back. 
Growth should not be encouraged before July, when the plants 
may be turned out, their roots reduced by one-half and repotted 
again in the same or slightly larger pots. The compost may con¬ 
sist of good loam two parts, the other two being composed of leaf 
mould and sand with a little manure added. If kept close for a 
time they will soon break into growth, and cuttings can be taken 
and rooted. The plants must not be kept too warm or too moist, 
or else they will grow soft and run up quickly. This must be 
avoided and a slow sturdy growth only promoted. They need little 
more than a cool house that is kept moderately close, and where 
they can be shaded from the strong rays of the sun. Towards the 
end of September place them where the night temperature is not 
allowed to fall below 55°, and where the atmosphere is not too 
moist. In October those needed to flower early may be given a 
temperature of G0° with a little air daily when favourable, which 
will induce the plants to flower freely by the end of the year, and 
be capable of supporting themselves without the aid of st^akes. 
Cuttings rooted now must be potted from time to time, but not 
be grown too fast in heat and throughout the summer in cold 
frames. Cuttings rooted now, or as soon as they can be obtained, 
will make capital plants in G and 7-inch pots for next season. Stop 
the shoots ■well until the end of July to induce them to throw up 
freely from the base. 
This Begonia succeeds in baskets suspended from the roof, 
having B. Ingrarai or some other suitable variety near the sides to 
hang over. The best plan is to make up the baskets with fresh soil 
about the time advised for starting these plants into growth, and 
then dibble rooted plants of Ingram! round the sides, and allow the 
two to grow together. By this means quantities of cut flov/ers are 
produced without taking up stage room, and in additian add to the 
appearance of the structure.—N. G. 
AURICULAS IN SCOTLAND. 
Tins winter the plants had a long rest owing to the long 
continued frost. The severe weather seems to have done them no 
harm, and there have been scarcely any losses among the various 
collections in Scotland. A few young plants not very well 
established have gone, and it is always a curious circumstance that 
when an old plant goes it is one of the best and scarcest varieties.^ 
For instance, this year I have lost a fine plant of the Duke of 
Argyle ; another grower has lost F. D. Horner, and another 
Cofonel Taylor. The plants began to move in earnest in the first 
week of February, and since then the growth has been rapid. At 
the present time the plants are looking remark^ably well, and it is 
expected that the bloom will be early. My own opinion is that 
the bloom will not only be early but irregular, though some of my 
Auricula-growing friends do not agree with me in this. It is, 
however, the fact that when the foliage expanded it was seen that 
many of the trusses must have been formed at an earlier period 
than usual and were well advanced. Most of the plants are in 
a normal state of growth at this period. 
Auriculas at this time and for some time to come should have 
the grower’s eye upon them, and now and then each pot should be 
in his hands, and if anything is wrong it should be immediately 
put right. Particular care must be observed in watering, so that 
the soil may not have an excess of moisture or be too dry. No 
sensible man will water every pot in his collection at the same 
time. The surface should now be stirred, taking care not to 
disturb the roots. Top-dressing is not now so much practised as 
formerly, but they who follow the old plan should now do it. 
Ref^arding top-dressing, one of my correspondents, an extensive 
gro'wer, writes “ I use Clay’s fertiliser freely both at_ potting 
time and in February when I top-dress with fresh soil. I just take 
the same soil as I use for potting, but add a little Clay s fertiliser. 
This causes the plants to root freely, in fact the roots become 
matted, and the leaves are leathery and vigorous. I use it freely, 
and it never makes the bloom coarse.” 
On the same plan another correspondent writes : — I generally 
give the Alpines a mere snuff when doing them up at this time. I 
use it very sparingly, and have not overcome the idea that the more 
complex bloom of the stage varieties -vvould easily be thrown out 
of balance by such manures. I have given young plants a pinch, 
and seedlings in boxes. I would say, Ic you use it at ail to your 
