Insects and Diseases. 75 



dust, has a good effect, and is the best means of eradicating 

 the fly. 



In tobacco growing sections, where the refuse can be had 

 at a low cost, the plants out of doors can be freely mulched 

 with it a few times during the season, and no trouble will be 

 experienced from the fly. If tobacco is scarce, take a small 

 quantity, place it in a pail or bucket, and pour boiling water 

 on it, and as soon as cool, syringe the infested plants with it, 

 and it will have the desired effect. 



The red spider and the mealy bug will sometimes infest the 

 chrysanthemum, but if a water supply and a garden hose are 

 at hand, a thorough syringing every evening will make it un- 

 pleasant for them, and they will not seriously trouble the 

 plants. Clear cold water has many virtues, and is essential 

 in keeping the plants clean. 



In the fall a brown caterpillar sometimes preys upon the 

 foliage, and there is no remedy for this better than hand pick- 

 ing. Many of our handsomest sorts are also subject to mil- 

 dew ; the Chinese varieties, especially the incurved sorts, 

 seem to be most liable to its attacks. In some seasons the 

 disease is far more prevalent than it is at others. 



Black spot, probably another form of mildew, is also a seri- 

 ous evil upon the older leaves. The mildew generally makes 

 its appearance when the plants are housed or sheltered in 

 November. Its origin is attributed by some to cold nights 

 succeeding sunny days, or great extremes of temperature. 

 Overcrowding the plants and insufficient ventilation are fer- 

 tile causes of mildew, as well as a cold wet soil or bleak situa- 

 tion, leaving outside late in the fall, and dull cloudy weather. 

 Should mildew actually appear, flowers of sulphur dusted 

 liberally on the plant, so as to come in contact with both 

 upper and under sides of the leaves, is the most effectual 

 remedy. The best preventive is to avoid overcrowding in 

 the fall ; giving abundance of air through the day, and pre- 

 serving a dry atmosphere at night. 



