CHAP. XVIII VILLA GARDENING 131 



ing to suit the succeeding crops. Verbenas, Asters, Stocks, etc., 

 require to be treated liberally, but a very light dressing will suffice 

 for Geraniums, as, if the beds are too rich, the j^lants grow too much 

 at the exi^ense of the blossoms. If all the waste matters from 

 the flower garden are saved and placed in some receptacle where a 

 slow decomposition takes place, a sufficient accumidation of manure 

 win be hiul for the annual dressing without aid from any other 

 source. The best plan is to dig a hole in some secluded corner, 

 and put eveiything usually classed as rubbish into it. Towards 

 the autimin turn the deposit over and intermix, adding a little 

 lime and soot. This is an excellent compost for all kinds of 

 herbaceous plants, also for top-dressing the rockery ; in fact, when 

 thoroughly decomposed, it will not come amiss anywhere if hel]) 

 be needed. 



The struggle ivith insects must be incessant. There must be no 

 respite during the growing season if the plants are to appear at 

 their best. One of the best modes of fighting insects is to en- 

 courage the plant to make a strong, vigorous, healthy growth. 

 There is something about a healthy plant insects do not like ; 

 they may hover roimd it, but make no effectual lodgment, whilst 

 a plant somewhat delicate is overwhelmed at once. Health is 

 largely a question of diet, and a large amount of trouble in physic- 

 ing and killing insects would be saved if the habits of the plants 

 were studied and the right kind of food provided in sufficient 

 quantities. But in a climate so variable as ours, I grant even well- 

 nourished plants do sometimes Ml a prey to insects, and it becomes 

 necessary to attack them. The aphides are the most numerous 

 and troublesome. Maggots, weevils, and beetles affect certain 

 plants, and nibble away at their leaves, but they do not come 

 in such numbers, nor multipy so fast, as the little bothering 

 flies do, which settle on the young shoots and foliage, sucking 

 out their life-blood if not speedily dislodged. Luckily, if 

 taken in time, before the ciu-ling foliage encloses them in, they 

 are easily destroyed. Tobacco, either as a wash or in powder, is 

 instant death to them. The wash can be obtained from the 

 manufactoiy at about a shilling per gallon, and one gallon will 

 make six strong enough to kill aphides when api^lied with the 

 sponge. A little soft soap may be added, and soft soap alone ; 

 two ounces to the gallon will be sufficient in light cases, but a 

 good deal depends upon taking up the matter in time, when the 

 first fly appears — hence the need for watchfidness. The number 

 of insecticides are endless, but if one did not mind a little extra 

 labour, a good syringe or garden engine and a supply of clean 

 water would suffice if the first suggestion 1 made of feeding the 



