CHAPTER VI. 



Insects and Diseases. 



THE chrysanthemum, like most other things of beauty, 

 is not always free from trouble ; like tine rose and 

 lily, a number of enemies assail it, but being of a 

 vigorous constitution, it is singularly free from dis- 

 ease, and with some slight assistance its insect enemies can be 

 speedily overcome. 



The black fly or aphis is its most persistent pest, and its 

 attacks are chiefly in winter and spring, and if infesting the 

 plants when set out of doors in spring, they are apt to be 

 somewhat troublesome throughout the summer. It is there- 

 fore necessary, while the plants are indoors, just before turn- 

 ing them into their summer quarters to thoroughly rid them 

 of all insects that may be upon them, as it is more easily done 

 when the plants are under complete control in the house, than 

 after they are placed outside. While in the house they can 

 all be destroyed by fumigations, or using fresh tobacco stems 

 among the plants on the benches, or on the hot water pipes. 

 The sprinkling of these stems with water at evening just as 

 the house is to be closed up, will cause them to throw off 

 fumes that will prove fatal to the fly, if continued for a few 

 days. If the plants are in the open ground, syringing the 

 infested plants, and dusting liberally with dry snuff or tobacco 



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