CULTI\.\TIOX AXD AXALYSIS OF PLAXTH. 



,<7\DERthc three teiuib, Pruuiug, Cutting Back and Pinching, 



, -, ~^ .iif understood only different degrees or forms of the same process. 



■ -■ "' 'lie pinching is simply a milder pruning with the finger and thumb; 



hack is mainly applied to the pruning off of all dead 



the* quick, or the restoring of a plant or shrub to its 



T jjroper shape when it has grown misshapen by neglect. Pruning is best 



'T-V done in the late fall or early spring, while the sap is at rest; it consists in 



V-^^\\ r-'/ (v^ >.J'- , 1 lie pinching is 

 G'V^-^4^" ■.--'''- -tting 



^'■r- \ty-??\:. \N<H.d back to tht 



uiy sprnig, wnue tne sap 



leiuoving the useless, thin, poor shoots of the previous growth. But little 



pruning would be needed in amateur culture if the finger and thumb, under 



guidance of a watchful eye, were used freely in removing, by what is 



technically called pinching, all poor growths while the shoots are soft and 



IJ^ SECTS. 



>E pests, the bugbear of amateurs, as a rule settle only on plants that 

 are in a slow state of growth, or that are suffered to become dirty. 

 Besides tlieir destructi\ euuss, they render plants untidy and soiled; 

 and where they liecdiiie epidemic, as it were, they render them dis- 

 gusting. It is only idleness m ignorance that allows insects to injure 

 plants; and those having only a few in pots have no excuse for being 

 troubled with them. Cleanliness is nature's great remedy. When 

 e, the whole plant should be washed with soapx 



o or three times into a tub or pail of clean \\ ater. 



whenexer necessary, will keep a large majority 

 uisancc. 



their first appear; 



after\vai-d dipped 



pie process, repeat 



L^e frt)m the ; 



FOl 



X SEC 



Aphis Rosa". — This insect, known also as the green-fly, is one of the most common 

 of plant insects, and is so named by reason of its fondness for the tender shoots of ail species 

 of roses. .Still it is not at all particular as to diet, and feeds promiscuously on almost 

 any plant upon which it finds lodgment, except perhaps such strongly scented ones as 

 some kinds of the Geranium. Taken singly, it is not at all repulsive, being in color the 

 most delicate, transparent green, and frequently with beautiful gossamer wings, and has, 

 for such a small creature, a firm and stately walk. Collectively their destruction is great, 

 as all the juice of the plant is absorbed to satisfy their insatiable appetite. With watch- 

 fulness this plague may be kept down in small collections. Fumigation is the best remedy 

 for them, and this operation may be performed either in a room, close box or barrel, 

 by placing damp tobacco-stems or lea\ es on some coals, in sonic kind of fire-proof vessel, 

 and care being taken that they do not blaze. Most rough-leaved plants cannot endure 

 fumigations, and are, in greenhouses, put under the staging when this work is going on. 



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