64 orchid-growek's manual. 



strong. Cattleijas are very subject to this pest. The following 

 is another recipe for destroying it : — To one gallon of rain 

 water add eight ounces of soft soap, one ounce of tobacco, and 

 three table-spoonfuls of spirits of turpentine ; stir well together 

 and leave the mixture for forty-eight hours ; then strain it 

 through a cloth, when it will be ready for use. It is necessary 

 to rub the plants over two or three times, if they are much 

 infested, but once will be sufficient in most cases. Any por- 

 tion of the mixture remaining after the plants are washed, 

 should be put into a bottle, and reserved for future use. 



This recipe is also a cure for thrips on azaleas or any other 

 plants. The ingredients as above noted should be mixed in 

 a large tub and the plants dipped in it; this will speedily 

 clear them of the pest. It will be seen, therefore, that it is 

 useful to others as well as Orchid growers, and will prove a 

 great saving of labour for those who grow large plants for 

 exhibition, or for those who have a quantity of small plants to 

 clear of such pests. The mealy-bug must be kept away by 

 constant watching and frequent cleansing. Whenever a plant 

 is purchased that is infested with it, take care to cleanse it 

 thoroughly before placing it in the stove or Orchid house. In 

 a word, never allow insects to get the upper hand, or you will 

 not long continue to grow plants to perfection, for all such 

 pests are as poison to plants — robbing them of their vigour, 

 and when they have lost that there is not much hope of them. 

 There are more plants lost through uncleanHness than from 

 any other cause. 



