36 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ February, 
vinegar, &c., if rubbed well into the crevices with a painter’s brush, will 
all destroy the insects. Oil rubbed into the infested spots with a small 
stiff painter’s brush is very safe, and effectual in freeing the trees of this 
insect. This is the plan I adopt myself, and which I would recommend. 
Of course, the whole of the tree should not be painted with the oil, only the 
clefts and crevices of the branches where the insect is lodged; and this 
should be done as soon as it is perceived on any tree, for the labour then 
required is but little, while if it is allowed to spread, the labour is consi¬ 
derable, and the difficulty of eradicating the insect proportionately great. 
The oil should be well rubbed into the places where the insect may be found, 
but no other part of the tree should be painted. 
Stourton . M. Saul. 
FRANCISCEA CONFERTIFLORA. 
HEN well managed, this is one of our finest stove plants. By 
growing two or three plants, forwarding some and retarding others, 
it may be had in bloom in succession for as many months; and 
its fine heads of purplish-mauve flowers and its laurel-like leaves, 
which contrast well with other plants, make it valuable for con¬ 
servatory decoration. 
Those who wish to grow it successfully should at once procure a young 
plant in a 48 or 32-sized pot. If it is well rooted, shift it into a pot one 
size larger, using three-fourths of good fibry peat, broken to pieces but not 
sifted, and one-fourtli of loam and leaf mould, in equal proportions ; add to 
this a liberal quantity of sharp silver sand, and mix the whole well together 
before using. An inch in depth of broken crocks should be placed in the 
bottom of the pots, and this quantity must be increased in depth at each 
successive potting in proportion to the size of the pot. Over the crocks 
place some rough fibry peat to prevent the drainage from becoming stopped 
by watering, for without efficient drainage good cultivation is impossible. 
Pot moderately firm, and apply water until it runs out at the bottom of the 
pot. The plant should then be placed in a temperature of from 60° to 65°, 
and be syringed twice a-day. The roots must not be allowed to suffer for 
want of water. In a short time young shoots will begin to push; these 
should be pinched off' above the fourth or fifth leaf. By this time the roots 
will have reached the sides of the pot, and a more liberal shift should then 
be given—say into a 16-sized pot—and a second growth in the same season 
will be the result. This should be pinched off, as before directed, and 
syringing continued till the end of October, about which time probably the 
flower-buds will begin to push from the eyes at the top of the second 
growth. After these make their appearance the plants should be syringed 
only once a-day, when the weather is bright, but not at all in dull cloudy 
