126 THE CARXATION MANUAL. 



to use a fair quantity, and to fork it into the 

 soil, than to apply it frequently in smaller quantities 

 to the surface. 



The only insect I am ever troubled with is a 

 species of aphis. At no season of the year are the 

 plants free from their attacks — they are most trouble- 

 some in sununcr, when the Carnations are in luxuri- 

 ant growth. The only remedy I employ is tobacco- 

 powder, with which the plants are dusted once or, 

 if necessary, twice a week. It is extraordinary 

 what an amount of mischief a colony of aj^hides 

 will do in a short time if left unchecked. 



The principal diseases I have to deal with are 

 forms of " rust " and fungoid growth, which I 

 attribute mainly to a cold and damjD condition of 

 the atmosphere. 



The only remedy I know is to remove every bit 

 of affected vegetation as it appears, and to keep the 

 plants in a moderately dry atmosphere, giving 

 plenty of air. 



Some varieties seem entirely free from these 

 attacks, others suffer very badly — " Mrs. Reynolds 

 Hole," perhaps, is the worst of them. 



