April 19,1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
303 
NARCISSUS WEARDALE PERFECTION. 
The accompanying illustration (fig. 50) depicts a bloom 
of the magnificent Narcissus Weardale Perfection, for which 
Messrs. Barr & Sons, Long Litton, secured a first-class 
certificate at the meeting of the Koyal Horticultural Society 
held on the 10th inst. As will be seen from a glance at the 
engraving Weardale Perfection is a massive flower, and is 
of a light primrose yellow. Nothing definite as to the history 
of this splendid acquisition appears to be known, but Mr. 
William Barr informs us that “ it is supposed to be one of 
the late Mr. Backhouse’s last hybrids, flowering for the first 
time five or six years back.” 
fit for lifting for putting in frames. These are usually placed in an 
open position facing the south, but at my last employer’s, the late 
Earl Sydney at Frognal, there was an old pit facing the west that was 
used for Violets, and which always gave a satisfactory display of good 
flowers, although the lights were of an ancient kind, having a large 
amount of woodwork about them. Still, I think the south the best 
position where possible. For the past few years I have grown Violets 
in a long pit that is used for Cucumbers in the summer, but any frame 
will answer the purpose, though the soil must be placed on a firm bed 
and the plants arranged near the glass. 
The compost I use is about three parts loam, one spent Mushroom bed, 
one part old leaf soil, and a few wood ashes. Some persons would 
doubtless employ more loam. Of the above mixture I use about 
6 inches to plant in. The Violets require careful planting and to be 
made firm. Leave the lights off entirely until approach of frost. Keep 
off all flower buds until the plants are well established. They are 
benefited by syringing every evening when first planted. Give air on 
every possible occasion, and remove runners and small flowers, 
also stir the soil among the plants. After they have been 
flowering some time give them a light dressing of chemical 
manure. 
By the above treatment I have found it possible to get an 
abundance of good flowers from October to April, both of 
Marie Louise and Neapolitan, although the latter variety 
produces rather smaller flowers. The Double White I do not 
grow extensively, as it is so late in giving its flower, but it is 
beautiful after a mild winter when planted under a north 
wall. While at Frognal I grew another double variety, a 
very deep blue, most exquisitely scented, but I forget the 
name. 1 think it was one of Messrs. Cannell’s introduction, 
it was a gem out of doors but useless for forcing. 
The above remarks describe my general method of culture. 
Some allowance must of course be made at different places 
as to the composition of the soil, but with me Violets have 
proved themselves more accommodating than most plants. 
I have also grown large numbers in similar soil in 6-inch 
pots, and they produce flowers quite equal to those planted 
out, being also very useful for the conservatory during the 
winter.—J. H. Howard, Benliam Gardens, Neiohurij. 
pastures new.” Nor has fumigation but little effect beyond asphyxiating 
a few unwary ones out on the war path. Weather permitting, I think 
there is no plan so good as removing plants and parasites to the open 
and “ having it out ” with them there. 
With the various and good insecticides now to hand expense is more 
a matter for consideration than efficiency in selecting the article to 
form the wash, hence the reason that petroleum has found favour in 
many places. Effective as it is, the greatest care is necessary in using 
so powerful an agent, or the victory, if gained, may be dearly bought. 
To those who contemplate using petroleum on Gardenias or other 
subjects planted out I would say “Don’t?” With even less than the 
orthodox quantity of oil, a wineglass to four gallons of water, if carried 
out from time to time results in oil accumulating in the soil, and that 
means death to the plants. With plants in pots, after the bath, a 
combination of dipping and syringing, proper draining can be given, 
and whatever insecticide may be used in solution to avoid contact with 
the roots is advisable. Disagreeable are these washing days, and, alas I 
FIG. 50.— NARCISSUS WEARDALE PERFECTION. 
only comparative cleanliness results. The foe is subdued, but not 
exterminated. It is the battle, after which we are apt to rest upon our 
laurels, when, if followed up by persistent light skirmishing, the happy 
desideratum might be gained, and this little pest annihilated. To 
this end a camels’ hair pencil or small sponge on a stick, with a bottle of 
Fir tree oil or Fowler’s mealy bug destroyer, used neat, forms a ready 
means of giving survivors their quietus. But this light skirmishing 
amongst the plants cannot commence too soon after the big field days. 
A cursory glance over a newly dipped house of plants may cause some 
self-congratulation, which closer investigation probably shatters. 
Preparing once for a visit from an old friend, I made superhuman 
efforts the previous day with a house of Crotons, had them all out and 
through the usual tubbing process. He came, and it was with some 
degree of pride I threw open the door, glancing at my polished Crotons. 
But, alas I for the sequel. He stepped in with the exclamation, “ My, 
here’s a big ’un 1 ” Aye, and he was a “ big ’un,” walking the rim of 
the nearest pot. I felt mad. Where infested vineries have to be dealt 
with no such diificulty obtains in clearing the house “held by the 
enemy ” as in the plant department. The resting period gives facility 
for thorough cleaning and more drastic measures. My experience of 
bug on the Vines is that the tar dressing is a remedy incomparable, 
though I have never used the full complement of tar as prescribed in 
the mixture for painting the canes. Needless to say, the usual modus 
operandi of scrubbing the Vines, painting the woodwork, and all and 
EXTERMINATING THE MEALY BUG. 
Amongst our enemies in the glass department not any, I 
think, are such a constant source of annoyance as the mealy 
bug. An innocent looking “ beastie” is this Coccus adonidum ; 
“ but the habit does not make the Monk,” and those who 
have experience of this mealy rascal know too well how 
incessant are his labours, and how he seeks to multiply and 
replenish our houses with his kith and kin. To these who 
only know this enemy by repute “ ignorance is bliss ” indeed. 
Not content with the injury he inflicts on our plants, a balance of the 
evil is carried over by causing damaging reflections on the character 
of the garden and the gardener, and but scant sympathy is accorded to 
sufferers. Why it should be so is not easy to explain, unless by 
analogous reasoning one thinks of another trouble for which there is no 
pity, viz., the toothache. 
Is it possible, I have at times asked myself, to stamp out this pest, 
and have done with it for good and all? “Killmright” out and 
establish a quarantine. Yes, I think it is possible, but only by the 
same untiring and persistent efforts made by the bug for existence. 
We have now insecticides galore to help us, though the foe is aided and 
abetted by his friends the ants. This Coccus might with some reason 
have been called “irritans” instead of adonidum, although the 
latter specification savours of his generative powers, which are truly 
marvellous. 
The mealy bug does not appear to be the most voracious of feeders ; 
but I am inclined to award him the palm for the unsanitary conditions 
of insect life. When ensconced in some creeper on the roof, those plants 
on the stages directly underneath suffer as much or more from his evil 
communications as dees the plant above which affords him hoard and 
lodging. Clad in his waterproof mantle, ordinary syringing, which is 
such a powerful agent in dealing with red spider or thripe, is In this 
case practically useless. This bug was not born to be drowned, he 
seems rather to enjoy being carried by water to “fresh fields and 
