1 7 o THE FRUIT GROWER'S GUIDE. 



the avoidance of excessive feeding, and brisker bottom and top heat. It is during the 

 swelling that the defect is induced that causes the fruit to be black in the centre when 

 ripe ; therefore, care must be taken in the above respects previously. 



Insects. The brown scale, mealy bug, and white scale prey on pine-apple plants, 

 All are very destructive, and, therefore, it is necessary to exercise the greatest care when 

 procuring plants to have them perfectly clean, and persons working amongst stove plants 

 infested with any of those insects ought not to be allowed to work at the same time 

 amongst pine plants, for the pests are easily transported on clothes. A sharp look-out 

 should be kept, and whenever any insects are detected, prompt measures must be taken 

 to eradicate them. 



Mealy bug (Coccus adonidum) is the most objectionable, and if allowed to spread soon 

 spoils the fruit, a house thoroughly infested being extremely difficult to cleanse. If the 

 mealy bug is touched with a small brush dipped in spirits of wine, and this is done 

 frequently, the pest will be destroyed. Methylated spirits may also be used against 

 mealy bug, as well as brown and white scale, diluting in the latter case with an equal 

 quantity of water, and removing the scale with a brush dipped in the solution. By 

 constant watchfulness and prompt early action, much injury by insects may be averted. 



When a house is infested with mealy bug, the plants should be removed from the 

 bed, laid on their sides, and syringed thoroughly in every part with petroleum, a wine- 

 glassful to 3 gallons of water at 120, the mixture being applied by one person, while 

 another keeps it thoroughly agitated. The plants must be turned over so as to wet every 

 part, and when the whole have been gone through, they should be syringed with pure 

 water at a temperature of 130. The house ought also to be syringed in every part 

 with a similar mixture at 140. At a suitable time clear out all the plunging material, 

 limewash the walls after scalding them, and again syringe the house with the petroleum 

 mixture. Introduce fresh plunging material, and syringe the plants with the mixture, 

 cleansing them with clean warm water before placing inside the house. In bad cases it 

 may be necessary to use petroleum at the rate of a fluid ounce to a gallon of water at 

 130, which is effectual both against white scale and mealy bug. 



