INSECTS, MITES, ETC 2ol 



alive to prey upon vegetation and annoy the gardener. We 

 have it on the authority of Reaumur, that a single female 

 Aphide in the course of five generations is capable of being 

 the progenitor of no less than 6,000,000 ! It is not only 

 by sucking the juices of the plant that injury is done. As 

 the insects increase in size they shed their skins several 

 times, and these, in conjunction with the excreta and the 

 saccharine matter exuded from their bodies, seal up the 

 stomata oi: pores of the leaves, prevent their healthy func- 

 tions being carried out, and attract sooty matters and 

 fungoid spores from the atmosphere, which render the 

 plants unhealthy. 



Remedies. — The primary remedy is fumigation with 

 nicotine, in some of its many forms, on two successive 

 evenings. Personally, we much prefer this method to 

 that of syringing with liquid insecticides. Properly done, 

 the fumes will penetrate every crevice of the house, and 

 destroj^ every other living insect in addition to the Aphides. 

 Next to fumigation, the best means is by the application 

 of solutions of some of the advertised liquid insecticides. 

 Of home-made insecticides there is probably nothing better 

 than soft soap and quassia. Four ounces of the latter has 

 to be boiled in a gallon of water for fifteen minutes, 

 then have an equal weight of soft soap added, and allowed 

 to get cool, after which the clear portion can be applied 

 by means of a syringe or sponge. Larger quantities can 

 be prepared at the same rate. Other good preparations 

 are an ounce of carbonate of ammonia dissolved in a 

 gallon of soft water; soda and aloes at the rate of two 

 pounds of the former to an ounce of the latter, dissolved 

 in a gallon of hot water and applied when cool ; one part 

 of gas-liquor to five parts of water; four ounces each of 

 aloes and soft soap to a gallon of water; soft soap at the 

 rate of 91b. to 12 gallons of soft water; and tobacco water 

 made by soaking lib. of shag tobacco in six gallons of hot 

 water, then .adding Jib. soft soap and applying when cool. 

 In any case, bear in mind when using liquid insecticides 

 not to let them touch the flowers; and, moreover, see 



