DESTRUCTION OF APHIDES. 91 



the stove into the conservatory, which tlieir gay appearance will greatly 

 enliven. They ought, however, immediately their blooms are faded, 

 to be returned to their old situation in the stove, there to remain until 

 the middle of September, water in tiie mean time being gradually 

 withheld from them. The pots can then be stowed away in any dry 

 spare corner of the stove, until again required for forcing. 



DESTRUCTION OF APHIDES. 



DANGER IN USING TOBACCO-WATER. 



BY ME. THOMAS CONNELLY, GARDENER TO T. R. BRIDSON, ESQ., OF BRIDGE HOUSE, 

 NEAR BOLTON', IN LANCASHIRE. 



The green fly, as it is termed, is throughout the year a troublesome 

 pest, particularly to Pelargoniums. Having recently obtained some 

 choice sorts, they were placed in the hothouse, and soon pushed forth 

 slioots. Very quickly, however, they were covered with the fly. 

 Syringing the plants over with tobacco-water having been recom- 

 mended in several places in the Cabinet, I was induced, unfortunately, 

 to apply it to my plants. 



The directions given in the notices referred to were strictly ad- 

 hered to, viz., " half a pound of tobacco being placed in a vessel, and 

 boiling water poured over it," which was finally so reduced in its 

 strength, by addition of water, as to prevent any apparent possibility 

 of harm accruing from the liquid being too powerful. With this infu- 

 sion the plants were syringed, and the insects were immediately des- 

 troyed. The plants, however, soon looked sickly, and began to 

 shrivel. On taking them out of the pots, I discovered that the fine 

 roots, which, previous to syringing, were proceeding rapidly, were 

 killed, and the plants died. What could cause this disaster but the 

 liquid sinking into the soil in which the plants were growing'. How 

 the sort of tobacco I used is prepared I am ignorant of, but it is said 

 that copperas and other poisonous ingredients are employed in its ma- 

 nufacture. Now, whether this be correct or not, to me it appears that 

 the old method of fumigation is far preferable. It is admitted that, 

 by this latter process, a few leaves occasionally are injured, such as 

 those of the Gloxinia, Heliotrope, &c., but sucli are readily removed, 

 and to no disadvantage to the plant, at all events not to be compared 

 with the new and destructive mode of applying tobacco-water ; be- 

 sides, by the method of fumigation, every crevice, under and above, of 

 the leaves, &c., is acted upon, which cannot be the case by syringing. 

 The difficulty, with some persons, may arise from not knowing how 

 much must be used in fumigating ; the following I have always found 

 successful, viz., one pound and a half of tobacco-paper consumed will 

 entirely free a house thirty feet long from these voracious, pestiferous 

 insects. I hope that this communication may be a caution to all m 

 a similar situation to what I, in the first instance, was, and induce them 

 not to .syringe with tobacco-water, hut fumigate- — fumigate. 



