THE TREATMENT OF INSECTS. 57 



As to apples, the treatment is similar to that recommended 

 for pears. Bushes are the best form, with branches connected 

 with their neighbt^rs. These bushes should be at intervals of 

 four feet. 



CHAP. XIV. 



REMARKS ON TREES IN POTS. 



The Cordon system, in its various forms, is admirably adapt- 

 ed for potted trees.* My own trees in pots have succeeded 

 admirably, and there really seems no other way of treating 

 them. The only real difficulty I have ever experienced in 

 Orchard-house culture, has been to keep away the red spider.f 

 Tlie green aphis, when neglected in the spring, has sometimes 

 destroyed the fruit of whole trees, with the ends of the young 

 shoots. But as this did not form a part of the Cordon system 

 it produced confusion in every part. But there is a remedy. 

 The green fly is easily destroyed by mixing two ounces of 

 tobacco in a quart of boiling water, and when cool, gently 

 brushing the leaves upvmrds with a soft brush dipped in the 

 infusion. The blue aphis on the plum, and the dreadful 

 black on the cherry, are to be similarly welcomed. The 

 brown aphis feeds on the young shoots of peaches in early 



* See pages 54, 55, and 56, Orchard-House ; by Mr. Kivers. 



[t We are a little surprised at this confession of Mr. Erehaut. That the red 

 spider is a pest to the cultivator, we must frankly admit; and in ignorant hands 

 difficult to eradicate. But after all, it is no great terror to a skilful man. It is 

 quite as easily got rid of as the graen fly, and of the two insects the latter, on 

 some plants, is the most troublesome. One single fumigation with sulphur, care- 

 fully done, will destroy every red spider, or a dose of whale oil soap will effect- 

 ually clean the plants. The proportions of the soap mixture are one pound of 

 soap to six gallons of water, using hot water to dissolve the soap, and diluting with 

 cool water. The sulphur should be fumed on a warm flue, not burned, and six 

 pounds may be used in this way, in an ordinary-sized house, without any injury 

 to the plants. As to destroying the red spider by syringing with water, there is 

 no such thing ; it will keep them in check, but nothing more. We have known 

 many gardeners to insist upon this, but we never saw them accomplish any- 

 thing. — C. 31. H.] 



