INSECTS, MITES, ETC. 265 



Remedies. — To catch the weevils, smear a tray or cloth 

 with treacle, then suddenly shake the plant over it, get- 

 ting someone at the same time to turn a bull's-eye lantern 

 thereon. If there are any weevils present they will drop 

 at once, and may be caught and destroyed by placing 

 them in boiling water. With regard to the larvae, take 

 pains to free the soil from them before potting ; but, if any 

 should be present in the soil afterwards, immerse the pots 

 in water for a few hours and drown them. Some persons 

 advocate the application of a solution of bitter aloes and 

 quassia, but we cannot vouch for its not injuring the 

 roots. 



Woodlice. — Several kinds of Woodlice or Slaters are 

 partial to the buds of the chrysanthemum. The Common 

 Woodlouse (Armadilla vulgaris) is the chief kind. This 

 is of a leaden hue, and rolls itself up when disturbed. 

 Another kind, Oniscus asellus, is greyish-brown, with yellow- 

 coloured spots on its sides and back. Yet another, Por- 

 cellio scabor, is of a slaty colour, with a rough dotted 

 back. Being nocturnal feeders, they are not often seen 

 at their mischievous occupation, and their handiwork is 

 often attributed to other pests. During the day they hide 

 under dry rubbish or in crevices. It is evident, therefore, 

 that all rubbish should be removed from the neighbour- 

 hood of the plants, and that any crevices likely to form 

 a harbour for them should occasionally be treated with 

 boiling water. 



Remedies.— Traps, in the form of dirty flower-pots filled 

 with hay or moss, or with their insides smeared with 

 treacle, should be laid about to entice the Woodlice to 

 enter. Examine these daily, and kill all found therehi. 

 Potatoes, swedes, or turnips cut in halves, and their in- 

 sides scooped out, also form excellent traps. Beetle 

 poisons placed near their haunts will be equally effective. 

 Phospho nicotyl (Voss's), a powder preparation, is also a 

 splendid remedy for killing wood lice. 



Worms — These unquestionably do a large amount of 



