WINDOW GARDENING. 47 



away from the " Grafton Mineral Fertilizer," and a thorough sprinkling of the 

 dry powder on the leaves or stems well moistened,, will make the insects dis- 

 lodge their hold, not to return. 



There is another mite whose color varies from green to black, and is as par- 

 ticular in its attentions to Carnations and Pinks, and so rapid in its movements, 

 that it has been named the " Carnation Twitter." It is very destructive to all 

 the varieties of plants above mentioned, and it affects the leaves like the spider, 

 making them very unhealthy in appearance, and as yet no means have been found 

 to destroy it. 



If plants grow vigorously, are healthy and well cared for, the ravages of 

 insects are not to be much dreaded ; and if they do appear they can be quickly 

 routed. Undoubtedly we must fight if we would become the owners of hand 

 some, finely formed, profuse blossoming plants ; and she who devotes the most 

 time to them, will be the proudest of the flowers she rears. 



Sulphur and tobacco are powerful remedies in the hands of an amateur, and 

 will often not only kill all the insects, but destroy all the plants. As almost every 

 amateur usually undertakes to try some experiment for himself, so we record 

 the experience of a lady who writes us : 



" Years ago, when we had the charge of a small conservatory, we tried the 

 eftect of sulphur thrown upon hot coals to kill infested plants. Every insect 

 succumbed before its direful fumes ; so also did the plants; hardly a leaf remained 

 on the stems the following day, and the poor leafless branches spake to me in 

 terms of sad reproach through their mute lips. I was then a tyro in the busi- 

 ness, and greatly desired to have every thing done thoroughly. 



" Thus I learned, that there is no teacher like experience, his school is a hard 

 one, he is a stern disciplinarian, but when his lessons are once learned they are 

 not forgotten, but are indellibly printed upon the pages of memory. 



" Luckily for my conservator}"^, it was denuded of its leaves in May, and soon 

 the poor forlorn plants were set out into the borders where they could recuperate 

 and regain the foliage denuded by so strong a sulphur bath. 



"Again : I tried tobacco tea, and in it steeped each treasured Rose, each loved 

 Fuchsia, and they looked so worn and weary after it that I was heart sick with 

 my eflbrts in their behalf. Since then, I have been very shy of tr3ang such ex- 

 periments, and content myself with hand brushing and washing, but still more 

 with the daily care, the constant loving attention which is much the surest and 

 the safest for flowers." 



White mites may frequently be seen infesting the soil in pots. They seem to 

 be the larvte of a small black or brown fly, and are very injurious to the well-being 

 of the plants. Lime water, salt and water, and hot water, have all been tried. 

 The first two were inefficient to injure them, and the last killed the plants. Now 

 we turn in a goodly supply of warm water, and when we see wriggling specks of 

 white, take up the pot and turn off" the water. Give another supply, and turn 

 that away, and continue to do so uhtil not one remains. The third or fourth day 

 the process is repeated, and by this means the troublesome mites are destroyed. 



