INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES. 9Q 



CHAPTER XIX. 

 INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES. 



The difficulties of raising perfect chrysanthemums would 

 be considerably reduced if it were not for the ravages of 

 insect pests and the damage which is caused by disease. 

 In this chapter, therefore, I propose to deal with some of 

 the trials the grower has to face from these two causes. 

 And first as to aphides. 



Aphides* 



If you succeed in clearing aphides from the top of a 

 plant, they are almost sure to start new colonies under the 



Aphides. 



i and 2. Male natural size and magnified. 

 3 and 4. Female natural size and magnified. 



leaves, or all up the stems ; or, if you clear them from there, 

 and they drop to the .ground, ants will take them into their 

 holes and cherish them, until they can find them fresh 

 leaves upon which to feed. And, of course, this is only 

 natural, for the aphides are the cows, as it were, of the 

 ants. The exudation from the a.phide (honeydew) is sweet, 



