INSECTS, RATS. DISEASES. AXD EXEMIES. 8i 



parasitical, choke the life out of the plants on which they prey. Some forms 

 are like strong, green threads, and in some instances, when allowed to go on 

 unchecked, it is impossible to separate or disentangle the plants or leaves with- 

 out breaking some; but in most cases such a condition is only found where few 

 or no fish are in evidence and plants are in an undisturbed condition. Confervae 

 will form on some plants in stagnant water, especially on seedlings that have 

 not arrived at a stage when floating leaves are attainable, and when fish cannot 



be allowed in the water. In such instances the best remedy is Bordeaux mix- 

 ture, one-third less than the usual strength as applied to other plants; use 

 with hand syringe, merely wetting the plants on the surface of the water; but 

 this must not be used for confervae on Ouvirandra fenestralis, or it will kill the 

 plant as well ; this will also check a certain damping off or rot on small seedlings. 

 But this latter trouble is often the case of over-heating, and a lower tempera- 

 ture will prove beneficial. 



