136 THE PRACTICAL GARDEN -BOOK 



In the fighting of all Insects, success depends upon tak- 

 ing them in time. If something is known of the life history 

 of the Insect, very much will be gained, for the operator 

 ma y be on hand as soon as the Insect is 

 expected to appear. 



Insects on House Plants. The most trouble - 



Weevil -a chewing insect gomeorcommon Insectg with which the ftma . 



teur is likely to meet in the window-garden or conserva- 

 tory are the red spider, mite, mealy bug, aphis, and scale. 



The red spider is a very minute Insect with a reddish 

 body. Its presence may be suspected whenever plants are 

 growing in a warm and dry place. Usually it first appears 

 on the under side of leaves, but it multiplies rapidly, and 

 will soon not be so choice of position. It sucks the juices of 

 the leaves, and they soon indicate the injury by a dull appear- 

 ance, and also, in many cases, by small whitish or paler 

 areas on the upper surfaces. The mite is of similar habits 

 and size, but is of a pale color, with black on its back. 

 It appears under the same conditions as the red spider. 

 These pests are small, but are very serious if allowed 

 to multiply unchecked. They should be looked after as 

 soon as their presence is detected. 



The remedy is to arrange for keeping the air about the 

 plants more moist, and giving drenchings of the foli- 

 age with clear or soapy water. The latter is most effective. 

 The soap used may be simply the common washing soap, or 

 that sold at drug stores known as whale-oil soap. In fight- 

 ing them, care must be used not to keep the soil soaked 

 with water, or it will check the plants in vigor and only add 

 to the strength of the enemy. Even florists sometimes get 

 into just such a predicament. Flagging and extreme varia- 

 tions in dryness and humidity of the air, checking the vigor 

 of plants, favor the appearance and presence of the red 

 spider quite as much as extreme and continued dryness of 

 the air. 



The aphids or plant lice are readily discernable when 



