APRIL.] DESTROYING INSECTS. 235 



thumb, when the pump is worked with as much 

 force as possible, will divide the liquor into exceed- 

 ingly small particles, and the smaller the better. 

 Six English pints of the liquor, judiciously applied, 

 will serve for watering, once over, six ordinary- 

 sized bushes. " 



The red spider makes its appearance in hot, dry 

 weather, and is always found on the under sides ot 

 the leaves ; generally on roughish leaves, but not al- 

 ways so. It preys on the apple, cherry, fig, peach, 

 pear, and plum; seldom on the apricot. It is among 

 the smallest of the acari, and is sometimes not dis- 

 tinguishable without a microscope. If the back of 

 the leaf be viewed through one, it appears full of 

 its webs ; and if many abound on it, the leaf ap- 

 pears full of punctures ; becomes discoloured, and 

 brown on the upper surface ; fades, and falls off. 



This insect is more troublesom.e in dry seasons 

 than in moist ones, and is wonderfully encouraged 

 by heat ; insomuch, that hot-houses of every de- 

 scription are sadly infested with it. Water, and 

 water only, is its bane ; and the syringe, or the 

 force-pump, the engine of its destruction. It is not 

 a mere sprinkling that will do. It requires a forci- 

 ble dasiiing to and fro, and that often repeatiad, to 

 be eftectual. * 



* Some have recommended waterings with lime water, &c. for 

 the destruction of acari, and have fancied them effectual. I have 

 tried these, and many other kinds of water, on certain trees, and 

 compared the effects of pure water on other trees at the same 

 time ; but could never find any difference in the reduction of the 

 enemy, though 1 have on the health and appearance of the fo- 

 liage. 



