48 INTRODUCTIOX. 



wigs* (For/icula auricularici) , which are very de- 

 structive to the blossoms of stage-flov/ers. Both 

 these are, in some measure, guarded against by 

 setting the stage feet in pans of water; but, as 

 earwigs fly when young, they can easily alight on 

 the plants. Yet it is only when they are old that 

 they are so voracious ; and then, as they never 

 fly, the pans of water so placed may be useful. 



The green-fly {Aphides) frequently seat them- 

 selves on flowers, particularly the carnation. 

 They are easily dislodged : but the means are 

 not a pleasant application for objects whose high 

 recommendation is their scent. An infusion, the 



* Earwigs can only be got rid of by capture. Bean- 

 stalks or reeds are too fragile and perishable for the purpose. 

 I recommend, for the preservation of wall-fruit (and flowers 

 also), a trap made of twenty tin tubes, one quarter of an inch 

 diameter, each having a stop or division in the middle, and 

 eight inches in length, all soldered together in a plane, side to 

 side. This, fust dipped in honeyed or sugared water, and 

 placed close to the wall, behind a branch, will at once attract 

 the insects to feed, and induce them to remain in the lubes; 

 out of which they may be shaken into a pail of hot water, as 

 often as necessary. Such traps will cost about four shillings 

 each, or according to size. 



