FIG PESTS AND DISEASES. 109 



CHAPTEK IV. 



FIG PESTS AND DISEASES. 



A INSECTS. 



Red Spider and Thrips — Both pests, more espe- 

 cially the former, infest the foliage of figs grown undei- 

 glass. In hot seasons Red Spider sometimes attacks the 

 foliage of outdoor figs. These pests are fully described 

 elsewhere in this volume, so that all we need do now is 

 to give the remedies. 



Remedies. — Spraying the foliage thoroughly with water 

 or with Formula No. 14, and painting the hot-water pipes 

 with a mixture of flowers of sulphur and milk to throw 

 off sulphurous fumes, generally proves effectual in the 

 case of the Red Spider. The best remedy for Thrips is 

 fumigating with one of the nicotine preparations. 



Scales. — Several kinds of scale insects infest the 

 shoots and foliage of the fig. Thus there is the Soft Brown 

 Scale (Lecanium hesperidium), which infests the shoots 

 and leaves of figs grown under glass, and secretes honey- 

 dew thereon; the Long Black Scale (Ischnaspis filifor- 

 mis), which occasionally may be found on indoor figs; 

 also the Camellia Scale (Aspidiotes camellise). All three 

 are capable of inflicting serious injury on indoor figs if 

 allowed to increase to any great extent. They attach them- 

 selves firmly to the shoots or leaves, and suck out the sap, 

 thus ultimately bringing the tree into ill-health. Besides, 

 the honeydew secretion they deposit seals up the stomato 

 or breathing pores, aJid prevents the foliage carrying out 

 its proper functions- 



Remedies. — The stems and shoots should be thoroughly 

 cleansed in winter with a solution of Gishurst Compound, 



