Diseases and Insect Troubles 



Insect troubles are not numerous. The most 

 serious is green-fly. I once saw this pest attack 

 a big lot of plants so seriously and rapidly as to 

 destroy them. It is much more likely to occur 

 in the south than in the north. If its beginnings 

 are carefully watched for, it can be stopped, and 

 there is nothing better than the old-fashioned 

 solution of soft-soap and quassia. Two to three 

 ounces of soap thoroughly dissclved in a gallon of 

 water and a tablespoonful or two of strong quassia 

 extract, the whole well worked together with 

 a syringe before applying, is a sure preventive 

 of the fly spreading. If weather is wet, two 

 applications may have to be made. The soap 

 should be dissolved first in a quart of hot water 

 and the rest of the gallon made up with cold water. 

 If it is too troublesome or inconvenient to use 

 soap and quassia, then I recommend a nicotine 

 insecticide such as one of the " XL All " 

 preparations used as directed. 



Other troublesome Sweet Pea visitors are mice, 

 slugs and birds. 



Mice get at the seed immediately it is sown if 

 they can, either in boxes, in frames or greenhouse, 

 or in the ground in the open. Under glass they 

 can usually be kept off by putting a sheet of 

 glass over the box or pot till germination takes 



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