1 888. 



POPULAR GARDENING. 



99 



Closely allied to the Aphides are the family 

 of Mealy Bugs (.CoccUhr). They liave 

 thicker, more oval, fuller bodies, covered 

 with a white powder, and are harder to dis- 

 lodge (hau Aphides. Plants covered with 

 them should be carefully washed in strong 

 soap-suds. Ants are sometimes injurious 

 to plants. A quantity of the best Dalmatian 

 insect-powder, even if used out-of-doors, 

 will break up an ants' nest, while benzine 

 poured into the nest will also scatter them. 



13y far the worst enemy of the Rose is the 

 troublesome little Slug-worm which eats 

 the surface of the leaves, 

 covering them with dead 

 patches, causing the 

 leaves to wither and 

 curl. The slug-worm is 

 a pale, yellowish-green 

 griTb, the body some- 

 what thickened behind 

 the head, and about a 

 quarter of an inch in 

 length. Slug-worms 

 appear early in July, and 

 remain, unless immedi- 

 ately checked, through 

 August. When fully 

 grown, the Slug-worm 

 stops eating, descends to 

 the ground, and there 

 remains \intil June of 

 the following year, when 

 the little,black Saw-flies, 

 the parents of the worms, 

 appear upon the new 

 leaves. They may then 

 be caught with the hand 

 on cloudy days. With 

 theii- saw they cut a hole 

 in the leaf and insert an 

 egg, from which the 

 worms shortly hatch. 



Hand-picking, the ap- 

 plication of a very weak 

 solution of carbolic acid, 

 or kerosene, or powdered 

 hellebore, or to dust the 

 affected leaves with Dal- 

 matian insect-powder 

 every day, are excellent 

 remedies. A faithful 

 application of these one 

 season will prevent the 

 reappearance of worms 

 the next. 



The Rose-chafer or Beetle is a long-leg- 

 ged, big-clawed, crawling, disgusting crea- 

 ture, which spoils the Rose and our pleasure 

 in picking it. It seeks the Rose to devour 

 the pollen and the petals. The chafer is a 

 near ally of our June beetle, and has be- 

 come extremely abundant within ten years. 

 The beetles appear early in June. Hand- 

 picking is a sure remedy if all would com- 

 bine. They sometimes cluster in great 

 numbers on the buds, and then should be 

 seized and thrown into tire or scalding water. 



Another enemy of the Rose is the little 

 Rose-leaf hopper, a minute, yellowish-while 

 insect, which punctures the leaves, causing 

 them to appear blotched and white. These 

 Insects are very abundant, rising often in 

 swarms from the bushes. They may be 

 kept under by the same applications as have 

 been recommended for the slug-worm. 



Rose leaves are often found in mid-sum- 

 mer with circular holes neatly cut out of 

 them. This is the work of the interest- 

 ing Leaf-cutter Bee, which cuts out pieces 

 of the leaf with her jaws to make her nests. 

 Sometimes they almost strip a rose-bush. 



The stalks of the Phlox are sometimes 

 bored into by the Phlox-worm, the cater- 

 pillar of HvUothis pldofjoplmiiux. Of this 

 caterpillar there are in Illinois two broods 

 in a year; the first, appearing in July, be- 

 comes moths by the middle of August, the 

 second pass the winter in the chrysalis state. 



A very general feeder in gardens is the 

 common Hairy Caterpillar or Fall Web- 

 worm, which makes a tent on the branches 

 of the Apple.Pear and Cherry. Late in sum- 

 mer, after it becomes full-fed, it throws off 

 its gregariotis habits, and scatters about the 

 garden, and does in a small way more or 

 less injury to low plants. 



Another insect, which Is very minute, ex- 

 ists in gi-eat numbers, especially in com- 

 posite flowers, such as Daisies, Asters and 

 the like. This is the little Black Thrips, 

 Fig. 8; an active black creature about a 



\ 



Larva of Syrphu 



king Aphi , 

 Larva Lady Bug, enlarged. 



3. Ant Milking Aphis, enlarged. 



INSECT ENEMIES OF FLOWERS. 



4. Lady Bug, enlarged. 



5. Chrysalis of Lad\ 



ti. IrfM-t* Fly and Stat 



Bug, enlarged, 

 ■ed Eggs, enVgd 



twentieth of an inch in length, 

 the surface of the leaves, or punctures the 

 petiils, disfiguring the plant, and occasion- 

 ally doing a good deal of harm. Careful 

 and frequent washing drives these away. 



The last insect on our list is a beautiful, 

 broad, flat, golden beetle called the Camlda, 

 which preys upon the Morning-glory in the 

 grub or larva state. The grubs are com- 

 mon late in July, when we have found them 

 in all stages eating holes in the leaves. — 

 A. S. Packard in Youths Companion. 



The leaves are something like two feet long 

 and six inches wide, of a rich, deep green, 

 and have a soft appearance resembling the 

 finest velvet. Many other species are equally 

 ornamental. 



The culture of Calatheas is not difficult, 

 heat, water and shade from the sun being 

 among the main requirements. But while 

 needing an abundance of water in their 

 growing state, a stagnant moisture at the 

 roots is most injurious; good drainage is 

 therefore essential. To have the foUiage in 

 the best possible condition an abundance of 

 moisture must also be 

 provided in the plant 

 apartment during the 

 season of growth. Great 

 regard must be had to 

 the kind of water used 

 in syringing, for some 

 kinds will leave an un- 

 sightly deposit on the 

 leaves, spoiling their 

 beauty, unless they be 

 frequently sponged be- 

 sides. Clear, soft water 

 is undoubtedly the best 

 for this purpose. 



The best soil for these 

 plants is a rich, loose, 

 open loam, one in which 

 a liberal proportion, say 

 one-third,of decayed leaf 

 soil or decayed hops, has 

 been incorporated, and 

 nearly the same quantity 

 of well rotted manure, 

 besides a heavy sprink- 

 ling of sharp sand. The 

 mixture should be used 

 in a rough, lumpy state, 

 so that the roots, which 

 are of large size, may 

 travel with freedom. 

 The plants require a 

 frequent increase of 

 fresh soU by repotting 

 or othervrise. 



Nearly all the species 

 are easily increased by 

 divisions. July is a 

 favorable time to set 

 about it, or it may be 

 attended to at any time 

 later, but previous to 

 the following spring 

 months. In dividing them the plants should 

 be shaken out of their soil, and then they 

 may be readily separated into as many parts 

 as there are individual crowns. 



Calatheas are not subject to insects if 

 properly supplied with moisture while 

 growing, and a sufficiently moist atmos- 

 phere is at all times maintained. But with- 

 out these red spider is quite likely soon to 

 appear, and to quickly disfigure the leaves. 



Epilaehna, slightly enlarged 

 Tnrips, greatly enlarged. 

 " Lt 



Aphis lion, larva of Lace Fly. 



It nibbles 



The Calatheas (Marantas) and their 

 Culture. 



Many of the best known plants formerly 

 classed as Marantas are now embraced by 

 the genus Calathea. Such is the case with 

 the well known sort illustrated opposite 

 and formerly known as Maranta zebrina. 

 At best the difference between these genera 

 is only one of botanical character, and were 

 it not for the sake of scientific accuracy we 

 should prefer to see the old name prevail for 

 all. The culture as well as general char- 

 acter of the two genera are quite identical. 



In the Calatheas we have some of the 

 finest ornamental-leaved pot-plants in cul- 

 tivation. C. zebrina of the annexed en- 

 graving is one of the best known. It has 

 perhaps served as often as any other one 

 plant to add beauty and polish to fine col- 

 lections of conservatory or exhibition plants. 



."iSS. Chrysanthemnms After Blooming. They 

 should be cut down and placed in a cold frame, 

 cool cellar, or underneath the (freenhouse stage, 

 unless the cuttings are wanted now; if so, then 

 place in a lijf ht situation as close to the glass as 

 possible. Ciittiugs can be rooted from now on, 

 providing one has the room to spare for them, 

 and large specimens are required; but in most 

 cases if they are rooted about the first of March 

 it will answer as well. — C. E. P. 



5.3.5. Draining the Orchard. You can set out 

 the trees this spring as soon as the ground is in a 

 proper condition to work, providing you intend 

 to flnlsh the draining before winter sets in. 

 Otherwise don't set out the trees until the land 

 is properly drained.— C. E. P. 



534. Twig Blight. Cut back to healthy wood 

 the ends of all limbs that show indications of 

 this bUght the very instant it is noticed. Are 

 they Apple or Pear trees?— C. E. P. 



575. Fertilizers for Strawberries. The guano, 

 if a good article, should have produced good 

 effects unless the weather was dry. We would ad- 

 vise that you prepare another plot next spring, 

 and to leave present one do as it will with need- 

 ful care. Bone and potash often give fine re- 

 sults upon Strawberries. 



