130 THE BOOK OF THE SWEET PEA 



with birds, but mice are a frequent source of anxiety, 

 especially after the seeds are sown. It has been necessary 

 in many cases to lay down traps to catch them, but the 

 simple remedy of red-leading the seeds will not only 

 render them distasteful to the mice, but will effectually 

 protect both seeds and plants from trouble in this respect. 



PEA WEEVIL. In some gardens the pea weevil gives 

 the grower some concern. The two best known weevils 

 that attack these plants may usually be detected on the 

 growths : one is spotted and the other is striped ; the 

 colour being represented by dirty shades of yellow. The 

 larval and beetle stages of these pests are distinctly harm- 

 ful ; in the former condition they feed on the roots, and 

 in the latter condition gnaw and destroy the leaves and 

 stems. A vigorous shaking of the plants and stamping 

 on the ground immediately below should have the effect 

 of destroying many ; subsequently, give the surface soil a 

 light dressing of slaked lime. A simple means of making 

 the surroundings distasteful is to dust the plants with 

 soot, or to spraying them with weak solution of paraffin. 



THE SMALL CABBAGE BUTTERFLY (Pieris rap#), in some 

 seasons, and under certain peculiar conditions, appears to 

 have a weakness for these plants. Doubtless, many 

 growers have seen an immense number feeding on the 

 under-sides of the leaves, and in such cases it is better to 

 pick the affected leaves and destroy them. A spraying 

 of the foliage with soft soap solution by the aid of an, 

 Abol syringe with an inverted nozzle, will enable the 

 grower to diffuse the insecticide on the under-sides of 

 the leaves, and in this way we may easily destroy this 

 voracious pest. 



Clear Bordeaux mixture is often used to eradicate 

 fungoid diseases, and it must be admitted that, where 

 this is sprayed on the affected plants in good time, 

 success not seldom attends these efforts. 



What is known as the " Streak" disease threatens to 



