10 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
the trees with one of the many mixtures which are used. The 
following is a simple and effectual one: — Mix fresh cow-dung 
with urine and soap-suds, and after scraping off all the moss 
and cankered bark, wash over the trees with this mixture ; this 
will prevent the growth of moss, and lessen the number ot 
insects, by destroying their eggs. 
April 28. 1844. 
OX THE CULTURE OF BALSAMS. 
By Mr. D. Watt. 
The Balsam is one of the best of our annuals ; it was originally 
brought from the East Indies in 1596, but since then has been 
greatly improved by cultivation. It succeeds well in a rich, 
light compost, such as equal parts of turfy loam, leaf-mould, 
and well-decayed sheep’s dung. To grow them to good ad¬ 
vantage, and flower them early, the seeds must be sown the 
latter end of February, in equal parts of loam and leaf-mould: 
they should be placed on a gentle bottom heat, and as near to 
the glass as possible. As soon as they have formed two leaves, 
put them singly into 60-sized pots, still keeping them on a 
bottom heat: when the roots reach the sides ot these pots, 
shift them into 48’s; thence the Ci one-shift system ” may be 
adopted with success. To bring them to a flowering state, use 
the compost I have above recommended; water them freely 
with manure water, made with decayed sheep’s dung; keep 
, them near the glass, but at a sufficient distance apart to allow 
them the full benefit of the light; remove the first straggling 
blossoms as the}^ make their appearance on the plants, and 
afford them sufficient air to prevent them becoming weak and 
drawn : under this mode of treatment, by the month of June, 
the plants will have attained the height of from five to six feet, 
and will be furnished with branches down to the top of the 
pots, forming complete masses of bloom. From the diversity 
of their colours, they form a pleasing contrast when mixed 
among other plants in the conservatory or greenhouse. When 
a separate house can be afforded for these plants, it is desirable; 
but that can seldom be afforded : we can, however, surround 
