46 ORCHIDS : HOW TO GROW THEM SUCCESSFULLY. 



Lselias, especially if the plants are not strong and healthy, which can 

 be cleaned away periodically in the same manner, taking care, however, 

 that the "lather" or insecticide does not get down to the roots, and 

 this is easily prevented by holding a piece of sponge round the base of 

 the pseudobulb until the operation is completed. Do not attempt to 

 get them off with a sharp pointed stick, as this is both a dangerous and 

 tedious method. "Murray's Electric Insecticide" is the best thing I 

 have tried for ridding the Cattleyas of this pest ; it should be used in 

 the proportion of one part insecticide to four of rain water. Apply it 

 over the insect by means of a small brush of stiffer fibre than camel's 

 hair, thoroughly soaking the scale, and letting it remain until the 

 insect is completely killed it need not be washed off. The person who 

 introduced this electric insecticide recommends the solution for 

 syringing over the plants for the destruction of red spider, aphis, &c., 

 but I think it best for amateurs to use rather less than is mentioned in 

 the directions, as the young tender foliage of Orchids, as well as other 

 plants, is very easily injured and growth consequently retarded. This 

 applies equally to other insecticides. 



TOBACCO POWDER is a valuable agent for the prevention of thrip 

 and aphis, and should always be at hand. Tho disagreeable odours 

 arising from fumigating or the use of insecticides are always more or 

 less objectionable, and this annoyance may be avoided by using tobacco 

 powder, which can be purchased from any seedsman, in Is. or larger 

 tins, and if a little of this is sprinkled into the young growths of the 

 plant no thrips will go near them, whilst those that are there will be 

 speedily destroyed. 



COCKROACHES are terrible night depredators, and the best remedy 

 I know for their destruction is the well known "Chase's Beetle Poison," 

 which should be used at regular intervals in places where they are most 

 likely to congregate or on any plants on which they have been feeding, 

 taking special precautions to prevent their ravages on the young flower 

 spikes and the tender tips of the roots. 



WOODLICE also eat the roots, and should be trapped and killed. 

 Various traps are employed for catching these pests, but the best of all, 

 I find, is a potato cut in halves, with a portion of each half scooped out 

 of the centre and then placed with the outside of the potato upwards, 

 examining it every morning. 



SLUGS. These are also a great nuisance in the Orchid house, and 

 have a special liking for the young and tender flower spikes. Lettuce 

 leaves can be kept about the plants, and a little fresh bran in small 

 saucers has a great attraction for them, and they should also be 

 diligently searched for at night, using a lamp for their detection. 



CATTLEYA FLY (Tsosoma orchidfarum). This is a much dreaded 

 insect, and its larvae is deposited in the centre of the young growth. 

 Its existence there may be detected when the young break or growth is 



