38 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



should once a week water them gently all over 

 their leaves, which will wash the filth from off them, 

 and thereby greatly promote the growth of the 

 plants. During the winter season, these plants will 

 not require to be watered oftener than once a week, 

 according as you find the earth in the pots to dry : 

 nor should you give them too much at each time ; 

 for it is much better to give them a little water 

 often than to over- water them, especially at this 



season." 



Insects. After describing the white scale or 

 mealy pine-bug (cocus hesperidum, L.) he says, 

 " wherever these insects appear on the plants, the 

 safest method will be to take the plants out of the 

 pots, and clear the earth from the roots ; then pre- 

 pare a large tub, which should be filled with water, 

 in which there has been a strong infusion of tobacco- 

 stalks; into this tub you should put the plants, 

 placing some sticks across the tub, to keep the 

 plants immersed in water. In this water they 

 should remain twenty-four hours ; then take them 

 out, and with a sponge wash off all the insects from 

 the leaves and roots, which may be easily effected 

 when the insects are killed by the infusion ; then cut 

 off all the small fibres of the roots, and dip the plants 

 into a tub of fair water, washing them therein. 

 Then you should pot them in fresh earth, and hav- 

 ing stirred up the bark-bed, and added some new 

 tan to give a fresh heat to the bed, the pots should 

 be plunged again, observing to water them all over 

 he leaves (as was before directed), and this should 



