500 STATE POIvIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



wings. In many species no males are known, and it is supposed that their 

 re-production is also agamic, thus their powers of propagation are excessive, 

 hence they are very injurious to tlie interests of the abori-culturists, for when 

 they once gain possession of a plant or tree, death is almost inevitable. 



These scale insects seem to retrograde in development, for as larva they are 

 at first active, but soon become immovable, and seem little more than an inert 

 scale. Under the scale the many eggs are deposited, though some of these 

 scale-lice are ovoviviparous. 



The mealy-bug. Coccus adonidum, rejoices in heat, and in green-houses does 

 not simply exist on plants, but gets into every possible crevice. So that its 

 riddance is next to impossible if it gets once thoroughly established. 



Remedies. — The best method to manage the mealy-bug is preventive. Don't 

 let it get a foot-hold. When once thoroughly established in a green-house, 

 extermination, if not hopeless, involves extreme labor. In case of a few plants 

 in the conservatory, or our window plants becoming affected, removal by hand 

 is surest and best. This washing process is also very beneficial in cleaning the 

 jilants. No doubt many of you have noticed new vigor in your plants, conse- 

 quent upon washing with tepid water. 



When a house becomes thoroughly stocked Avith mealy-bugs, a general 

 cleansing is all imperative. Washing every plant after the growth of the sea- 

 son, — September or October, — and all the wood-work of the conservatory, and 

 repainting, is the only sensible plan. That able writer for the Garden and 

 Gardeners' Chronicle, Mr. Baines, states in the former journal for February 14, 

 that he once spent six weeks with two men in cleansing five of his houses, all 

 badly affected, and reports that it was the best spent labor ever employed. 

 What gives emphasis to this recommend is the fact that the mealy-bug, unlike 

 the aphides, red spiders or thrips, if once extirpated, are forever banished from 

 the conservatory, unless reintroduced by the acquisition of infected plants. 

 Thorough work, combined with closest scrutiny, are all important in dealing 

 with this pest. 



The white or oleander scale, Aspidiotus nerii, Bouche, as also the more com- 

 mon, yet more easily destroyed brown scale Aspidiotus proteus, are also best 

 destroyed Avith sponge and brush, if Ave have to deal with but few plants. 

 These insects too, like the mealy-bugs, if once Avholly banished, may Avith cau- 

 tion be easily kej)t at bay, as they can only spread by the plants coming in 

 actual contact. 



For extensive destruction in conservatories there are several patented articles 

 from England, which come with high recommendation. The Abyssinian mix- 

 ture and Fowler's Insecticide, four or five ounces to a gallon of water, also 

 Gishurst's Compound eight ounces to the gallon, are said to be excellent. 

 This latter is reported sure death to aphides, thrips, and meal-bug. Not only 

 do Avriters in English magazines, but our very skillful gardener at the Agri- 

 cultural College, Mr. Cassidy, speaks in high terms of these various compounds. 

 There is no doubt that these substances in skillful hands are most admirable, 

 not only as aids in destroying the noxious coccids, but other insects as well. 

 Yet I hesitate to recommend their use, as also that of kerosene mixed with 

 soap suds, and ammonia, for if the mixtures to be applied are not tempered to 

 suit the hardiness of the plants, they will not only prove fatal to the insect, but 

 to the plant as well. And in case of some of the more tender plants, as the 

 orchids, the plants are destroyed quite as readily as the scales. In treating 

 tender plants, like camellias and ferns, if the experiment is to be tried, it 

 should be after the season's growth, when the j^lants are ready to rest. 



