90 CARNATIONS AND PINKS 



often be found hidden underneath. The other traps 

 should also be examined every morning. 



Thrips {Thripsadonidum and other species). — This 

 is a well-known enemy to the garden, and if not de- 

 stroyed quickly spoils the flower. These insects are 

 very small, none of the English species being 

 more than yV i"ch in length ; when the insects are 

 mature they are furnished with two pairs of very 

 narrow and fringed wings, which remain folded over 

 their backs during the period of rest. The injury to 

 the plants consists in the insect sucking out the juices 

 of the leaves by means of a short proboscis. Their 

 droppings, which are glutinous in nature, clog the pores 

 of the leaves and prevent their proper functions from 

 being fulfilled. The thrip must be destroyed in its 

 early stages. Those who grow choice Carnation 

 flowers for exhibition place the plants outdoors, ani 

 when the buds are well developed — even before the 

 colouring of the flower is revealed — the thrips get 

 inside, and the rich colours — crimson, rose, scarlet, 

 and other shades — become streaked and blotched with 

 white, which in the flakes and bizarres is a dirty colour, 

 like the dust on the road. Syringing is of assistance 

 in keeping the pests off, but there is a danger of the 

 flowers suffering damage. Mr. Douglas writes : "The 

 best way is to get them into the greenhouse and fumi- 

 gate with tobacco smoke. By shaking the flowers 

 over the hand the lively little insects may be seen 

 leaping about. A second fumigation is sometimes 

 needful. 



Red Spider [Tetranychus tellarius) is a troublesome 



