34 HOW TO DESTROY INSECTS. 



This method of proceeding entirely prevents the ab- 

 sorption by the soil in the pots of any of the tobacco- 

 water, which would injure the roots, and it moreover 

 ensures the complete wetting of the under sides of the 

 leaves. The liquid should always, if possible, be used 

 tepid, and it is then more effectual than when used 

 quite cold. Indeed, it may be used as hot as the hand 

 will bear it comfortably without injury to the plants. 



An Easy Way of Malting Tobacco-tea. 



A lady famous for her success in splendid, healthy 

 plants gives her secret as follows : 



" Every two weeks all the winter I would take a 

 handful of tobacco-stems and steep them by pouring 

 boiling water over them until it looked like strong tea ; 

 then, when the tea cooled enough for the hand to bear, I 

 poured it over the plants. Sometimes the leaves would 

 wilt for a few moments, and then straighten out and 

 have that bright, fresh look they have in summer after 

 a shower. Then I would weaken the tea a little more 

 and wet the ground in the pots, and I have no red 

 spider or green fly." 



Sow to use Whale-oil Soap. 



Mix whale-oil soap and sulphur together in the pro- 

 portion of one ounce of the former and half an ounce of 

 the latter to a gallon of water, and give the plants a 

 good washing while at rest. It will prove most excel- 

 lent as a preventive of the ravages of thrips and red 



