in perfection this month, opening its azure flowers after "the keen and frosty night," with renewed brilliancy. It should be transferred from its native habitats (where it may be often seen) to the flower-border of every garden. The red berries of the crataegus and the white ones of the snowberry now ornament the border: noisette and China roses continue to bloom in tolerable profusion.

The different salvias will be now in their splendor. Verbena chamædrifòlia will also flower till severe frost destroys the plants. Petunias, Lobelia bícolor, calendrinias, &c., will also show an abundance of flowers this month. Most of the annuals, as mentioned last month, continue in bloom.

We here conclude our remarks on this subject, and we hope the several papers have been as useful to our readers, or that portion of them who are in want of such information, as they have anticipated. We have not, as we believe that our readers are aware, intended them for the professed amateur in floriculture, but for the proprietor of the suburban, or village garden, where there is but a small quantity of ground, and where a continual rather than a purely rare display of flowers is wanted, from the commencement of the season, until late in the autumn. The number of plants may be augmented, in a great degree, and many very beautiful ones included; but the prices of such are yet without the reach of many who would desire them, and are therefore willing to wait until their cultivation shall become so general, that they may be easily obtained. A garden containing such a number and variety of plants as we have enumerated, will be by no means a very ordinary one, and the owner of such should annually plant any new seeds of perennials, in order to enrich it as much as possible, and also add two or three new plants every season. If there is considerable room, duplicates may be at first planted, which can afterwards be destroyed; when the space is very limited, the whole stock, of some of the least beautiful, may be rooted out, to make place for more choice ones. By pursuing some such system, the garden will be a source of increasing interest, and eventually contain an excellent collection of plants.

We shall improve the first opportunity, if not in the present volume, in the succeeding one, to give a list of the most desirable plants for a small green-house; and if not prevented for want of time, a few hints on the cultivation of each species and variety.

ART. IV. On the Preservation of Plants, Fruits, &c. against Ants. By M. EMILIEN DE WAEL, of Antwerp.

So many modes are in use throughout Belgium, that it is hardly possible to say which is the best, every one preaching highly upon his own method. I will, therefore, only state the

three ways most generally adopted.

1st. The use of fish oil does not destroy the insects; but it is an excellent preservative for both trees and vegetables, against their aggress. If it is a tree that wants to be protected, it is done by putting round the stem a piece of canvass impregnated with oil. If it is a bed planted with seeds that wants protection, the surface may be lightly sprinkled over with the oil, or at sundry places may be put some rags, soaked through with the same. The smell annoys the ants so much, as to prevent their coming

near.

2d. A compost, of four parts tar, one part essence of turpentine, and one quarter sperm or whale oil, is also very much

used.

3d. Repeated watering with one ounce sulphate of potash, dissolved in water, is an excellent preservative, but the destruction. of the ants is not the consequence, and it does not expel them longer than the watering is continued.

The only efficient mode of destruction is to cover some of the common earth worms (Lumbricus terrestris), collected in a pot, with arsenic. When they are dead, and well inflated, they are thrown into the garden, and instantly eaten up by the ants, who also carry the worms to their nests, and they are thus poisoned in immense numbers. Yours,

Boston, October 17th, 1836.

EMILIEN DE WAEL.

ART. V.

Observations on the Treatment of several Genera of the Natural order Iridacea. By the CONDUCTORS.

SEVERAL of the genera belonging to this rather extensive natural order are among our most beautiful plants, and deserve an extensive cultivation. They are, a greater part of them, na

tives of the Cape of Good Hope, and not sufficiently hardy to stand our climate, but require the protection and the warmth of a green-house to produce their flowers, and one or two genera are only brought to perfection in the stove or hot-house depart

ment.

We believe that not sufficient attention has been given to the plants belonging to this order by our amateur gardeners; whether this neglect has been from want of information in regard to their growth, or from an undue appreciation of their beauty, we are at a loss to suppose; but we are inclined to the belief that it is from both these causes combined: for we do not recollect of ever having seen many plants well grown, nor have we often found them in complete collections of other plants. We have consequently seized this opportunity to lay before our readers such information as we are possessed of, in the hope of drawing more attention to their cultivation.

The order Iridaceae contains thirty-six genera, all of which possess considerable beauty. The genus Iris is well known, as two species are indigenous to our climate, and several others are among the most common flowers of the border known as the flower-de-lis: there are an immense number of species, nearly all of which are handsome plants, and we hope they will all soon be introduced; English catalogues enumerate from fifty to sixty kinds. The Gladioli have also long been cultivated, and are highly valued for their elegance.

The genera of which we propose some remarks are as follows:

Gladiolus,
I'xia,
Sparaxis,

Anomathèca,
Watsònia,

Babiùna,

Antholyza,
Tritònia,
Hesperántha.

Gladiolus.-Plants of this genus are perhaps more cultivated than either of the others; some are perfectly hardy, and the others require the protection of the green-house. Several hybrids have been raised by the Rev. and Hon. William Herbert, of great beauty, and some other cultivators have also produced a number: we have no doubt but the varieties will eventually become very numerous, as the species seed easily, and the young plants come into flower sooner than most other bulbs. following are a few of the finest :

The

G. cardinalis. This species is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful. The flowers are of a brilliant scarlet, from six to ten on a spike, and are extremely showy. It requires the protection of a green-house, and will not flourish in the open garden. We set out two or three bulbs in the autumn, in the border; but upon the approach of spring we found them completely rotten; they are impatient of too much moisture. The soil most suitable for all the Gla

dioli is a mixture of sandy loam and peat, or decayed leaves, in about equal proportions. They are generally grown by crowding two or three bulbs into a pot not sufficiently large enough for one, which is one cause of their failing to produce flowers. Only one bulb should be placed in a number three pot; give a good drainage with potsherds: after they are potted set them in a frame, or, in want of this, plunge the pots in a warm aspect, in the garden, and cover them with an inch or two of soil, over which throw a few dry leaves or some old haulm: they may remain in this situation for a few weeks, until the approach of cold weather, when they should be taken up and removed to the greenhouse; if any heavy rains should occur while they remain in the ground, a few boards should be laid over them to prevent the soil from being too much saturated with water. No other care is requisite but to give the plants air, light and water, until they have blossomed and perfected their leaves, when the water should be applied quite sparingly, gradually giving less and less until the foliage is dried up, at which time it should be wholly withheld. The bulbs may then be taken out of the pots, and laid away in papers in a dry room, until the time of planting, which should be done in October or November. This species is not so easy of cultivation as the others, but its splendor will amply repay for all the care bestowed upon it. Seeds may be easily obtained, if the flowers are impregnated with some of the other species, and new varieties would probably be produced.

G. floribundus.-This is also a charming species. The flowers are of a yellowish-white, or cream-colored, very numerous, and collected in bundles, from whence its name. It is treated in the same manner as the cardinalis, and with much more certainty of its blooming well. It is a very beautiful and desirable species.

G. natalensis. This very showy species, which has lately been introduced to our gardens, is very easily cultivated. The method of planting the roots and managing the plants is so well detailed in our I, p. 54, by a correspondent, that it is hardly necessary for us to say any thing here; for their cultivation in pots we shall refer the reader to those remarks, and confine ours, at the present moment, to their growth in the border.

The bulbs are perfectly hardy, and will produce their flowers in greater beauty when planted in the border, than when growing in pots: they should be set out in the month of October or November, in a rich light soil; placing them five or six inches under the surface. No more care is requisite. Upon the approach of spring the shoots will make their appearance above the ground; when they have attained to some height they should be tied to neat stakes, to prevent the spikes of flowers from falling to the ground.

In the autumn, as soon as the leaves have assumed a decayed appearance, the roots may be taken up and divided, and reset again. The after treatment is the same as in the preceding season. It increases very fast, and its simple culture will recommend it to every garden.

G. blándus.-A very delicate species, with flesh-colored flowers. It is cultivated in the same manner as recommended for the cardinalis. It should be in every good collection.

G. hirsutus.-Another pretty species with pink flowers, and of slender growth. Cultivated like the cardinalis.

G. tristis is also a very delicate species, with flowers of a brownish-yellow color. It requires the same management as the others. It is a good species to hybridize with the stronger growing ones. The Rev. and Hon. Wm. Herbert raised some fine varieties between this and the blándus.

G. byzantinus and commúnis, and the varieties of the latter, are perfectly hardy, and may be grown as recommended for the natalensis. They are very showy when planted in beds by themselves.

G. var. pudibúndus. This is a hybrid (noticed at p. 63), raised by Mr. Herbert, and is said to be between the cardinàlis and blándus. The color is a charming rose, shaded into white at the base of the petals. It requires just the same treatment as the cardinalis, and is a free bloomer, throwing up a spike two feet high, with twelve or more flowers.

G. var. Colvilli is a handsome hybrid, with scarlet and yellow flowers, and may be grown like the cardinalis. It is a desirable variety.

There are many more species, but these are such as we can recommend for their elegance. A considerable number of varieties have been raised; but as we have never grown, or seen any particular account of, them, we cannot speak in regard to their merits. We hope, however, that all those of any beauty, or deserving of cultivation, will be soon introduced into our collections.

English cultivators state that the best plan for growing all the Gladioli, ixias, watsonias, &c., is in a brick pit, built so as to keep out the frost, and covered with lights, and, in severe weather, with mats, &c. The pit should be filled with the same soil as we have recommended, and the bulbs set about six inches deep. The sashes should be opened during all pleasant weather, and only kept closed when severe frosts occur, or when there is danger of a superabundance of wet, from long and continued rains. In this way they throw up very vigorous leaves and strong flower-spikes, which remain in beauty for a greater length of time than when growing in pots. We have no doubt but the same treatment might be practised here: the pit need not be built of more than one thickness of brick;