94 WORCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. [1896. 



not readily take wiug, but usually takes refuge iu droppiug suddenly 

 when first discovered. If the hand be held underneath it is very easy 

 to catch tlie mischief-maker, and we find he is very susceptible to a 

 gentle pressure between the finger and thumb. As before noted, when 

 the trouble occurs indoors it is comparatively easy to do battle with 

 the smoke-pot on some cool evening. The fumes of tobacco are very 

 distasteful to all insects ; we prefer however to avoid burning the to- 

 bacco at all times if possible, nnd especially in the hot months, when 

 the growth made is so soft and very liable to injury ; it is also an un- 

 pleasant task to some people to whom the weed is objectionable. The 

 better way when applying insecticides is at all times to use them as 

 preventives rather than curatives, and it will be found that an occa- 

 sional dusting of tobacco-dust will do the work better than smokhig, 

 especially if taken iu time. 



To those who would grow their plants outdoors there is one infallible 

 guide. If you can grow a Dahlia in your garden you can also be cer- 

 tain of success with the Chrysanthemum. The bugs prefer the Dahlia 

 where it is available always, and some growers plant Dahlias near 

 their plants on purpose to act as a decoy, and much trouble is saved 

 thereby ; but I have noticed that in the vicinity of towns there is not 

 nearly so much difficulty experienced from the Chinch bug as in the 

 open country, and I may be giving you advice that is not needed, but 

 to be forewarned is also good at times. For the past five years my 

 employers have been asking me at intervals why it is they can't have 

 Dahlias, and it is perplexing to have to keep on admitting that we 

 are beaten each time we plant the roots, for between our place and the 

 town near by there are cottage gardens that are famous for their 

 splendid Dahlias every summer; they grow by the dusty roadside, and 

 after a shower they are simply gorgeous, and I have been envious of 

 them each year ; and in another garden near by there is a clump of 

 hardy Chrysanthemums that I have noticed year after year in the same 

 place, defying winter storms and rains right into late November, on the 

 sheltered side of a cottage. There are therefore reasons to suppose 

 that the Chinch bug does not like city^ life, and you may be free from 

 its ravages here in Worcester. I only hope it is so. 



Speaking of hardy Chrysanthemums reminds me that there is of 

 late more attention paid to this class, and dealers are adding them to 

 their lists and trying to create a demand for them, and a most worthy 

 motive is at the bottom of it, for, while there are comparatively few 

 that can or will give the time and attention to the production of high 

 class blooms, there are thousands that would if they knew plant this 



