1873.] AN INSECTICIDAL PAPER. 463 



change of situation in the end of last year brought us into contact with plants 

 and fruit-trees on which the insects just now in question were pasturing in 

 any number. The Camellias, some of large size, and planted out in the con- 

 servatory, were being sponged with cold water when we took possession. In a 

 wonderfully short space of time they were as dirty as ever ; and by the time 

 they were flowering their best, the leaves were black with smut. Directly the 

 flowering was over, oi)erations were commenced by syringing them thoroughly 

 and forcibly with soap and water, so hot that it was painful to hold the syringe 

 with the naked hand. Most of the trees were also sponged with the same 

 solution as hot as possible, and again syringed with it, and afterwards with 

 cold water, leaving every leaf clean and shining. Two of the largest we were 

 obliged, through press of work, to let go without the sponging. Though the in- 

 sects were as effectually cleared off these as off the others, the whole of the dirt 

 could not be induced to peal off the leaves, though a good deal of it did. In June 

 a new colony of them simultaneously took possession of the trees, and the first 

 wet morning all hands were set to work, the same sort of reception being given 

 to them as to their predecessors. The whole of the trees were sponged as 

 before, and all through the summer have been very thoroughly washed with 

 cold water, applied at a strong pressure. Only one scale has been found since. 

 They are now, September 3, being subjected to a hot- water syringing and 

 sponging as before, which we hope will see them into next summer without 

 needing more. Far from the hot water harming them, they have made a 

 strong growth, and in some cases the flower-buds will have to be thinned very 

 considerably. The same treatment will be found equally successful to clean 

 such i)lants as Ixoras, Crotons, Oranges, Stephanotis, Gardenias, Francisceas, 

 &c. In a case of Cucumbers, which got infested with mealy bug, by syringing 

 weekly with soap and water at 110^ to 120^ we exterminated them without 

 in the slightest degree hurting either the foliage or fruits. Through circum- 

 stances over which we had no control, the inmates of our second vinery got 

 colonised with red-spider from one end of the house to the other. Though it 

 appeared rather a formidable job to wash every leaf in a house over 30 feet in 

 length, still something had to be done, and washed they were with the soft 

 soap and water as hot as could be used. At the end of two days every leaf was 

 free from the destructive pest without effecting the least noticeable injury. 

 The precaution of sulphuring the pipes was also taken, and prevented the re- 

 appearance of the enemy. Occasionally filling vineries with the fumes of 

 sulphur is a sure preventive to red-spider, if everything else in the way of pre- 

 caution and good cultivation is followed ; but if once the spider gains a footing, 

 the best and quickest plan is to sponge all leaves on which the sj)iders are, at 

 the same time sulphuring the pipes. It is possible to get rid of them by sulphur 

 alone ; but to effect this it must be applied at a strength that will damage the 

 younger leaves. Thrips are another family which are troublesome to get rid of. 

 It is well, on the slightest appearance — even if but one is seen — to fumigate im- 

 mediately, repeating it three or four times in a fortnight, tilling the house slowly 

 and as full as possible. "The Squire's Gardener" some years ago advised 

 using the nail of the thumb to catch them as a means of kee])ing a winter 

 Cucimiber free from them. Acting on the hint, we have repeatedly used the 

 point of a knife wetted with which to catch them ; we got over them quicker 

 than with the thumb-nail. Taken as a whole. Ferns are a class of plants 

 requiring more time and care to keep clean than any other. Owing to the 

 delicacy of their structure, such rough measures cannot be resorted to as in the 

 case of other plants. Gymnogrammas and Nothocloenas go scot-free from all 



