VI.] BIRDS CATERPILLAR WIREWORM MILDEW 35 



most effective plan is to dust the infected area with some 

 strong ground mustard occasionally. 



Mildew * and Fungus are the fruitful sources of evil in 

 our gardens ; they are in fact minute parasitic plants which 

 feed on the sap of those plants and trees which have been 

 neglected and starved. The true remedy is to bring about 

 a healthy root action, prune and thin the branches, and so 

 allow a free passage of the air through them. 



The simplest remedy is to smother the tree with 

 soot, let it rest there for some days, and then wash it 

 off. 



A good remedy for all fungoid growth and for red 

 spider is to syringe with a mixture of 6 oz. of soft soap, 

 3 gal. of boiling water, and a handful of sulphur-flower 

 thrown in and stirred well. 



Greenfly is almost certainly an indication that the Rose 

 or other plant affected is not in vigorous health the Aphis 

 does not relish healthy sap. Drought, or when, under 

 glass, neglect of watering, is most frequently the cause ; 

 the remedy is tobacco smoke, or its equivalents, or fir-tree 

 oil applied with warm water, or Bentley's Quassia mixture, 

 which is perhaps the best of all applications for greenfly, 

 red spider, scale insects, or mildew. There is a useful brush 

 sometimes used, made in the form of scissors or sheep 



* This will be found an excellent remedy, especially for mildew on 

 roses : 2 Ibs. quicklime, 2 Ibs. flour of sulphur, boiled in I quart of 

 water in an EARTHEN jar for 10 minutes, stirring all the time. Give 

 it time to settle, and pour off the liquid. Use a glassful to a gallon of 

 water. 



