128 THE BLOSSOM CIRCLE OF THE YEAR 



of shrubbery borders, and remember that all the spraying must 

 be done when the sun is not shining on the plants. Do you 

 wonder that the workmen — and workwomen — dread the appear- 

 ance of the iniquitous white fly ? There must be a first applica- 

 tion, then a waiting time of three weeks and then a second spray, 

 and so on until three or four applications have been made with 

 the waiting spaces between. 



Are not these enough ? They are not all, never fear — 

 there are still others. After the Roses, and Poplars, and Privets, 

 and evergreens have been treated, what should we discover but 

 a new kind of scale altogether. This time it was the oyster shell 

 scale on Tamarix plumosa. The same insecticide as that for 

 white flies might have done the work, but kerosene emulsion was 

 used and only two applications were necessary to clean the one 

 infected shrub and to keep the pest off the other plants. 



Surely this was enough for one Summer, not to mention the 

 tribe of aphids which are ubiquitous. No, the end was not yet. 

 In a single day every leaf was stripped from three Poplars, two 

 Privets and one Spiraea. While away fighting the enemy in the 

 gardens of my friends the hungry caterpillar was at his deadly 

 work. His name was legion. An early start, a carefully pre- 

 pared breakfast food of arsenate of lead spread in front of his 

 wandering feet was sufficient unto his death and that of all his 

 tribe. 



When the leaf-curl appeared it became a question of lime- 

 sulphur again and although the foliage was spotted and the smell 

 was anything but attractive this dosage was apphed in second 

 strength. 



This sanguinary history of one Summer's fight was succeeded 

 by a very much tired-out feeling at the season's end. Do you 

 wonder ? You will also see the wisdom of cutting out a spraying 

 table and pasting it in your Gardener's Calendar. The instruc- 

 tions given in any standard table include mixtures and quantities 

 of sprays for all kinds of insects, fungi and pests. This table 

 should have a prominent place in the garden preparations, not 

 only for the Summer, but for all the year. To adapt this table 

 to southern conditions, it is necessary only to antedate the work 



