998 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



other insect large enough to be readily seen, and remove it. Scale may be readily removed 

 by a blunt knife, and mealy-bug may be picked off by a match whittled to a point. Keep a 

 supply of tobacco- water made by pouring boiling water upon tobacco-stems of any cheap kind 

 of tobacco. When used, this is to be diluted, as the rule goes, &amp;lt; to the color of boarding 

 house tea. Diluted in this manner it may be showered upon plants infested with plant lice. 

 Preferably, it may be placed in a keg or tub, and the plants infested with insects dipped in 

 it for a few seconds, moving them gently about. The most troublesome of all insects in dry 

 rooms is the red spider, a minute mite which attacks the undersides of leaves. When the 

 leaves of a plant turn brown, red spider is the probable cause. A frequent application of 

 water, as mentioned under dust, is the remedy. In this case, lay the pots on their sides so 

 that the water will reach the under surface of the leaves. 



Too MUCH WATER is another lack of success with house plants. If a plant is not in 

 flourishing condition the common remedy is water, and it is watered again and continuously 

 until the soil in the pot is merely mud, in which only the roots of aquatic plants can live. 

 Vastly more house plants are injured by too much than by too little water. There is but one 

 rule for giving water to house plants, that is give water when it is needed. There should 

 be no indiscriminate daily watering, drenching all alike. It is far better for a plant to get 

 occasionally a little dry, and for its leaves to flag and droop, than to keep its roots soaked by 

 an excess of water. The soil in the pots of house plants should be moist, like that of good 

 garden soil just below the surface. If in this condition no more water is needed. One by 

 observing the soil, its color, and the manner in which it feels when pressed by the finger, 

 can soon learn to judge whether water is needed or not. Another frequent trouble with 

 house plants is 



WORMS IN THE SOIL. Every one who cultivates house plants should learn to readily 

 remove the ball of earth from the pot, so that it can be inspected. By exposing the ball, the 

 large earth worms may often be seen upon its surface, and can be picked off. These, as well 

 as smaller worms that sometimes infest the soil, may be readily killed by the use of lime- 

 water. Slake a piece of lime as large as the fist in a pail, and when slaked, fill the pail with 

 water, stir, and let it rest. Use the perfectly clear water upon the soil in the pots. 



By observing these precautions as to dust, insects, and watering, the window cultivation 

 of plants will be comparatively easy. Not only for the health of the plants, but of that of 

 the inmates of the dwelling, the air, however heated, should be moistened by proper provision 

 for the evaporation of water. 



Even in localities where winters are severe, there are not many days in succession in 

 which the window may not be opened for a short time in the middle of the day. All such 

 opportunities for giving the plants fresh air should be utilized, and what is good for the plants 

 will not injure those who care for them.&quot; A little ammonia put in the water for watering 

 plants two or three times a week, will make them thrifty, and grow rapidly. 



To Exterminate Bed-bugs, Moths, Cockroaches, Red Ants, etc. Bed-bugs, 

 Moths, and other insects may be easily exterminated by a free use of benzine. The pure 

 benzine will not soil or injure mattresses or the upholstering of furniture, and may be freely 

 applied; but care should be used not to apply it to painted or varnished woods. Naphtha is 

 of the same nature as benzine, but much more powerful, and when it can be procured is to 

 be preferred. Avoid the use of either benzine or naphtha near a flame, as they are exceedingly 

 volatile. The best method of exterminating red ants, that are such a pest to many house 

 keepers, is to find the place where they enter the house, if possible, and track them to their 

 nests, which, when found, deluge with boiling water, kerosene oil, or benzine; doing this fre 

 quently for a few days will exterminate the entire colony. Some persons have used the oil 

 of pennyroyal with success. 



To Remove Fresh Ink Stains from Carpets, etc. When ink has been spilled 

 upon a carpet, apply as quickly as possible, and before it has time to become absorbed into 

 the meshes, common table salt in sufficient large quantities to absorb the ink. Then sweep 

 it up and apply a new supply of salt, continuing to do so until the salt applied is not soiled 

 by the ink. To remove old or fresh ink stains from white material of any kind, apply oxalic 

 acid, and rinse in warm water; if applied to colored goods it will remove not only the ink 

 stains but other colors also. To remove fruit or tea stains from napkins or other table linen, 

 place the stained parts in an earthen bowl, and* turn boiling water directly on to them, 

 letting them remain in the water until cold. Be sure the water is boiling, as simply hot 

 water will set the stain in, instead of removing it. 



