The Orchid-house 



The stuff can be obtained of any chemist. A man 

 walks backward through the house holding a red- 

 hot shovel before him, on which a man following 

 sprinkles naphthaline. So they pass out at the 

 other door, or escape as quickly as they may, for 

 the fumes are deadly. Nothing remains alive, they 

 say, after this operation. I cannot speak by 

 experience, however, for my plant-houses are 

 attached to the dwelling, and, from all accounts, 

 the doctor, if not the coroner, would be summoned 

 shortly afterwards. 



Postscriptum. I have just been told by a 

 Belgian grower that he has ceased to use naphtha- 

 line because open flowers are so frequently injured 

 by it. 



Dipping is safe and effectual. To dip a large 

 collection may be rather a serious undertaking, 

 but I write for the modest amateur. He will find 

 it a day's work at most, and for several weeks 

 afterwards, even in the height of summer, he need 

 not concern himself with insects. A good pre- 

 scription is this : 



To 2 gallons of soft water add 



4 Ibs. of Appleby's tobacco-paper, 

 2J ozs. of Gishurst's compound, 

 2 soft soap. 



Heat the mixture till near boiling. When cool 



29 



