HOW TO DESTROY INSECTS. 4:9 



some on some plants, particularly on bouvardias. I 

 have been fighting them on an ivy geranium for the 

 past two years. They move so unwillingly it is a mys- 

 tery to me how they get from one plant to another. 

 The Mealy-bug March is a very slow inarch. I wish to 

 put you on your guard against them. I had frequently 

 read of them, but did not make their acquaintance until 

 about three years ago. At that time I received from a 

 greenhouse two plants of bas'ella rubra, in fine condition 

 apparently. Not suspecting mischief, and being busy, 

 I merely watered the plants when necessary for some 

 little time ; but alas ! one day, on close examination, 1 

 found the stems covered with white insects. I find 

 them on the stems of plants, in the axils of the leaves, 

 on the under and sometimes on the upper sides of the 

 leaves. They infest bouvardias, coleus, cissus, discolor, 

 and one of my ivy geraniums. I cannot smoke them, 

 and I do not like to use tobacco soap or water, as I 

 think it poisons me, so I persevere in washing and 

 brushing. The best way to do is to " look out for the 

 engine before it comes." Sometimes they are not 

 larger than a small pin-head, and sometimes are half as 

 large as a water- bug. Look out for all little white 

 specks on your plants, for they often contain the germ 

 of a troublesome insect. 



If a plant from a greenhouse looks fresh and flourish- 

 ing, do not take it for granted that it is going to be free 

 from insects, but examine it daily, and do not complain 



