124 THE CULTURE OF POT-PLANTS 



others with creeping rhizomes can easily be propagated by 

 laying — merely pegging down the rhizomes and cutting them 

 off and potting them separately when they are rooted. Some 

 species, such as aspleniums, bear little plants along their 

 fronds. In their case, if a frond is laid on damp soil and 

 pegged down to prevent its moving, and sprinkled with sand, 

 the little plants will soon root and increase in size. Spores 

 can also be scattered on the surface of sandy soil — prefer- 

 ably as soon as they are ripe — and if they are kept warm, 

 moist, and shaded, little plants will be obtained. 



Aphides and various kinds of scale are the chief pests. 

 The former can be destroyed by vaporisation — there are 

 several suitable preparations on the market — or by spraying, 

 but it is best to remove the latter with a brush dipped in 

 an insecticide. If a plant looks sickly without any apparent 

 cause, it should be turned out of its pot and the roots 

 examined. A species of mealy bug (see illustration, p. 23) 

 may sometimes be found among them, or possibly the larvae 

 of a weevil. Spraying with an insecticide will destroy the 

 former, but it must be repeated, or a little vaporite may 

 be tried. The larvae should be picked off. In the beetle 

 stage they injure the fronds, and may then be captured by 

 coming upon them suddenly w^ith a light at night and shaking 

 them on to a sheet. It must not be forgotten, however, 

 that injury to fronds may be due to slugs, for which a 

 careful search should be made. 



Ficus elastica (Indiarubber Plant). — A well-known 

 greenhouse or room plant. Its large, leathery, glossy leaves 

 must be kept clean, but as it is less liable to be injured 

 than most plants, it is better adapted for standing in draughty 

 halls. When kept indoors it should be put outside at least 

 once a week and thoroughly sprayed or sponged. When 

 it requires a larger pot it should be moved without disturbing 

 the roots. In course of time — a comparatively short time 

 if it is neglected — the lower leaves will wither, and when 

 it begins to get shabby it should be treated as recommended 

 at the beginning of this chapter. 



Grevillea robusta. — A handsome Australian shrub 



