HOW TO DESTROY INSECTS. 89 



Carnation Diseases. — First we will take stem rots. Tliis may be 

 caused in young stock by too much water, and lack of air may even start 

 it in the propagating bench Irom some cause. And in the field by too 

 deep planting,, or some way in the house after planting, it is something 

 to dread and something we must hold in check as far as it is possible. 

 My remedy is to pull up all the plants at once, those that show any signs 

 of stem rot, and burn or destroy them, and sprinkle air-slacked lime 

 around those near by. 



Stig mouse, 1 believe, is caused by too much water at the root and too 

 humid an atmosphere. Some fourteen years ago I had a large lot left in 

 the field after planting ray houses, and about a week after we were 

 through benching we had a week of cold rainy weather, followed by a 

 few very hot bright days without a breath of air, and say, talk about 

 stigmouse, spat, etc., there was not a leaf that was not affected on those 

 outside, while those benched did not show any signs whatever, and I have 

 noticed since that time that the same conditions will usually bring the 

 same results. 



Rust. — This affects some varieties now and then more than others, 

 but usually does not cause any trouble if care is used in syringing and 

 watering. I have never found that there was any remedy that seemed to 

 do any particular good. 



Bud Rot. — This is probably caused by too much water thrown over 

 the buds as the only places I have ever noticed it to speak of was where 

 the watering was done in a haphazard sort of way, and where they did 

 not take the proper precautions not to get too much water on the buds. 



Violet Disease or Spot is one on me, but I believe is caused from 

 careless watering and lack of air, or good circulation of same, and know 

 of no remedy save picking off the diseased leaves. 



Cyclamen Mite. — This is another trouble that there is little known 

 about, but we know what it can do. As a remedy I would suggest that 

 you should throw out all the affected plants. 



We have taken up just a few insects and diseases, but I will stop 

 right here, and try to answer to the best of my ability any questions that 

 may be asked. 



DISOITSSION. 



The Chairman: Now, brother florists, this is one of the most im- 

 portant things that has come up this morning, and one of the great hand- 

 icaps, in fact, one of the great reasons why the florists do not get rich is 

 on account of these diseases and insect pests, and it is a subject we can 

 all learn something about. I would like to see a discussion brought out 

 on one point particularly, and that is the white fly. I would like to hear 

 from some of the brother florists. 



Mr. Frey: Of course cyanide will kill any insect in the greenhouse, 

 for that matter. But very few of us are situated so we can use it, and 

 for that reason it is bad for human folks as well as insects. I have never 



