44 GARDEN FOES. 



CHAPTER IX. 



FUMIGATING. 



In addition to the method of fumigation by the cyanide 

 process, described in the next chapter, there is also the 

 old-fashioned one of fumigation by means of the many 

 nicotine preparations in the market. It is a ready means 

 of eradicating such pests as Thrips, Aphides (Greenfly), 

 Red Spider, Snowy Flies, etc., from glasshouses, includ- 

 ing frames. Formerly fumigation was attended with a 

 certain amount of risk to the plants, since the materials 

 available could not l)e depended upon for their purity and 

 freedom from injury to vegetation. Of late years, how- 

 ever, several pre23arations of nicotine have been placed 

 on the market that are absolutely safe to use if employed 

 in the manner directed by the makers, and at the same 

 time far more effective in the destruction of indoor pests. 



Materials. — The old-fashioned kinds were shag 

 tobacco and paper, or rag steeped in tobacco juice and 

 then dried. These materials, when required for use, 

 had to be placed in a vessel containing hot coals, and 

 allowed to burn slowly so as to fill the house with a dense 

 volume of smoke. As there was always a risk of the 

 materials blazing it was necessary for the attendant to 

 have to watch the combustion, and to go inside, breathing 

 the fumes meanwhile, and damp the materials, thus meet- 

 ing with pei"sonal discomfort. 



This antiquated method, however, no longer obtains in 

 well-ordered gardens. By means of the specially-prepared 

 sheets or rolls isaturated with nicotine, or the compounds 

 of nicotine prepared in liquid or solid form and sold in 

 sizes or quantities to fumigate according to the cubical 



