CHA.PTER V. 



INSECTS, AND How TO KILL THEM. 



The previous anxieties of the gardener are but light compared to the deadly 

 warfare he is now forced to wage against the tiny insects which not only infest his 

 house-plants, hut the soil in which they grow and bloom. 



The red spider is the most minute, yet the most dangerous foe wherewith we have 

 to deal. Hot and close parlors and sitting-rooms, are its delight, and it weaves 

 its tiny webs about the casements waiting until the plants are ready to feed it. 



He is a treacherous invidious enemy seeming to lie in the window frames quiet 

 and warm, but ready to seize upon our rarest Roses, most valuable Fuchsias and 

 Carnations, as soon as they are placed in their winter quarters. 



It is the tiniest of red mites ; the merest grain as it lies in repose under the 

 leaves of the plant it has chosen for its dwelling, but when the leaf is closely ex- 

 amined, it rushes wildly about, apparently knowing that it is doomed, and its 

 minutes are numbered. 



Though these pests are so minute, one can easily discover their presence ; for 

 the upper sides of the leaves grow brown and sire, and the plant loses its healthy 

 appearance. 



A thorough sprinkling and washing may drive away the intruders, but if the 

 heated and close atmosphere is still continued, plenty more will be generated. 



Red pepper has been found decidedly obnoxious to it. It should be dusted upon 

 with a pepper castor, holding the plant bottom side upwards, while another per- 

 son dusts on the pepper. Of course you must take care not to let it fall in any 

 quantity upon the soil of the pot, lest it should injure the roots. 



A decoction of quassia will also act fatally upon insect life, if used in the 

 following proportions : 



Boil one ounce of quassia wood in three pints of water until but a quart re- 

 mains ; when luke warm, either dip in the infested plants, or sponge offeach leaf 

 with a sponge or brush. Let them stand fifteen minutes or so, then dip the 

 plants or wash them off with clear water, as the decoction of quassia, if allowed 

 to remain on the leaves, will injure them. 



Tobacco smoke is also a good preventive to some insects, but this red spider 

 does not seem to heed it. 



The aphis or green fly, does not affect a liking for tobacco, for it intoxicates 

 it, and causes it to fall from the leaves and branches of all plants. Hold a 

 lighted cigar under the leaves of your Roses, etc., not so near as to curl them 



