THE CARNATION. 31 



may be placed for the same purpose on the tops of 

 the sticks ; but, use what precautions you will, you 

 cannot entirely prevent their ravages. 



An experienced florist once informed me that he 

 usually fixed a small bit of sponge, or cotton dipped 

 in sweet oil, to the stick that supports the stem ; he 

 assured me that he had every reason to be satisfied 

 with this experiment, and that it proved an effectual 

 barrier to the passage of the ear-wig and other insects. 



Nr. Nicol, in his * Gardener's Calendar/ recom- 

 mends a pencil or small brush to be dipped in oil, 

 and drawn round the pot, near the bottom, when they 

 are in flower, every two or three days, to prevent the 

 ear-wigs and snails from climbing up and doing any 

 injury. Sweet-oil, or rather linseed-oil as the cheapest, 

 may be used in this way, I have no doubt, with a 

 good effect ; for sweet-oil, if it comes in contact with 

 the bodies of most insects, will occasion their almost 

 immediate death. 



