The Pests of Garden Plants 



In the space at our command it is only possible to notice a few 

 of the garden pests, and we begin with one of the most frequent and 

 troublesome of plant foes. 



Aphis in some form or other is the most persistent and perplex- 

 ing of plant pests. The Green Fly is the enemy of the softer kinds 

 of vegetation, and the Blue and the Black Fly are common plagues of 

 the Peach-house and the orchard. The tender body of the Aphis is 

 instantly affected by conditions unfavourable to its life, and it is there- 

 fore easily killed ; but its marvellous power of reproduction renders 

 its extinction impossible, for in every instance a few escape, and very 

 soon re-establish their race. Two remedies against Aphis are hot 

 water and tobacco smoke. In the case of a few small hard-wooded 

 pot plants hot water is the best eradicator of Green Fly, but the water 

 must in no case exceed 150 Fahrenheit. For soft-textured plants 

 140 is the maximum allowable. To dip the plants in very hot 

 water will be to cook them as well as the fly. With a pail or tub 

 filled with water sufficiently hot, take the plant in the right hand, 

 and place the fingers of the left hand over the surface of the mould 

 to prevent an accident, and then turn the plant over and plunge it 

 into the water, and move it up and down briskly two or three times, 

 when the whole of the insects will be removed into the water, the 

 heat of which will kill them. When a houseful of plants is affected 

 lose no time in fumigating. The plants should be quite dry and 

 the house closely shut. If none of the modern appliances for fumi- 

 gating are at hand, take a large flower-pot, and make a hole in the 

 side of it about an inch above the bottom. Throw into the pot a 

 few hot cinders, and then a few fragments of brown paper. When 

 the paper begins to burn freely add a little dry tobacco, and then 

 some shag tobacco or tobacco paper in smallish pieces slightly 

 damped; place the pot in the house, and watch from the outside. 

 There should be a dense cloud of smoke without flame, and if it is 

 soon impossible to see what is going on you may conclude that all is 

 right ; but should a flame be visible, it must be extinguished, and a 

 new start be made. If all goes well no air should be given, but the 

 smoke must be allowed to do its deadly work. Early the next 

 morning syringe the plants freely, and in the course of an hour or so 

 give air. 



Plants may be fumigated out of doors by the aid of a tarpaulin, 

 but it is a troublesome business, and either tobacco powder or a 

 wash may be employed to advantage. To prepare a wash, steep shag 



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