“Of the first three take equal quantities; making three-fourths of the intended compost. Constitute the remaining fourth thus: Let river-gravel, sea-sand, and shell-marl, furnish each a twelfth part. The small gravel is to afford something for the roots to lay hold of; the sea-sand, to promote lightness and dryness; the shell-marl, the better to support the growth of fibres and integuments and parts not pulpy. Mix with the whole a fortieth part soot, to offend and repel worms. Incorporate the ingredients fully; and turn the heap two or three times before using it.” _General management._ “As soon as either crowns or suckers are detached from the parent plant, directions are given to twist off some of the leaves about the base; the vacancy, thus made, at the bottom of the stem, is to favour the emission of roots. Pare the stump smooth; then lay the intended plants on a shelf in a shaded part of the stove, or of the green-house, or of any dry apartment. Let crowns and fruit off-sets lie till the part that adhered to the fruit is perfectly healed; and root-suckers, in the same manner, till the part which was united to the old stock is become dry and firm. They will be fit to plant in five or six days. As to the prolonged period for which they may remain out of culture: Pine-plants have been kept six months without mould, in a moderately warm dry state, and the only injury has been loss of time. Crowns or suckers coming off before Michaelmas should be planted without any unnecessary delay, to get established before, the winter. When late-fruiting plants do not afford off-sets till after Michaelmas, it is best to keep them in a dormant state during the months least favourable to artificial culture: therefore, as you obtain these late off-sets, hang them up in the house, not too near the flues, to rest till March.” _Insects._ Mr. Nicol’s method, and also that by M’Phail, are both quoted with approbation. The following wash is directed to be applied exclusively to the building, and by no means to the plants. “At the annual cleansing of the house, if insects are supposed to breed in the building, introduce the wash with a brush into the cracks and joints of the wood-work, and the crevices of the wall. _Recipe for the Wash._ “Of sulphur vivum take 2 oz. soft soap, 4 oz. Make these into a lather, mixed with a gallon of water that has been poured in a boiling state upon a pound of mercury. The mercury will last, to medicate fresh quantities of water, almost perpetually.”