U} CULTnATIOX AXU AXAl.rsli, Oh PLAXTS. |o 



giL-at length of time, as we find tliem fixed wlien quite small, in which condition they 

 feed and grow. The eggs are hatched under tiie parent, and in lifting a large one with a 

 needle it is no unusual thing to see the litter of young run ahout in a hurried manner at 

 tlie unwelcome disturhance. 



Washing with strong soapsuds is a remedy for this annoyance. If picked off by hand, 

 wasliing should not be neglected, as it destroys the young; fumigation will not answer 

 so well. We reino\e them by running a needle through the crown of the shell, 

 and washing afterward. The white ones are very partial to Oleanders. They are also 

 Ibiid of Olives, Camellias, Acacias, Calla Lilies, Oranges and various evergreen trees. 



Verbena Mite. — This is a microscopic insect that destroys the plant for which it is 

 named, as also the Heliotrope and other rough-leaved plants, causing the foliage to turn 

 brown. It is difficult to dislodge it, as it cares but little for water, fumigations or ordinary 

 methods. To promote a vigorous, healthy growth of the plant is the best remedy. 



Roller Caterpillar. — This insect, perhaps more commonly know-n as the Rose Slug, 

 is the larvae of a moth, that makes its appearance early in May and laj'S its eggs on the 

 under side of rose leaves. These hatch out in a few days, producing the small, green 

 caterpillars, which at once begin to eat the lea\cs on the under side. Toward evening 

 they creep on the upper side of the leaves, where, if not disturbed, they will eat all night, 

 and leave the foliage as if it had been burned. With w atclifulncss at the proper time 

 they are easily got rid of by being carefully picked oil' and killed, and the first lot 

 disposed of is generally the last of them for the season. Hellebore powder or Paris green 

 sprinkled on the leaves when they are damp or wet will destroy them; but the safest 

 thing to dust upon roses is soot from soft coal, for when it washes ofT it acts as a useful 

 stimulant. In fact, soot mixed with guano, in about equal quantities, and boiling water 

 poured upon them, make an excellent liquid manure for all kinds of flowers; which, when 

 diluted in the ratio of one part to three of clean water, may be poured over the heads of 

 plants, keeping them free from insects and at tlie same time contributing to a healthy 

 growth. It is not advisable to use poisonous remedies against insects; it is far better for 

 the plant as well as its care-taker if the latter use only the eye, the hand and the great 

 natural cleanser, pure water, with an occasional admixture of soap. 



Rose Beetle. — This small insect derives its special name from its partiality to rose 

 leaves, being seldom found on any other plant. It is not very destructive or numerous, 

 and can be easily disposed of by keeping the plants clean and in good order. Thousands 

 of Roses are made unsightly <ir destroyed every season b\- insects which a little precau- 

 tion on the pai-t of the culti\ ators, in the timely application of common remedies, might 

 readily have prevented. 



Tobacco Worm.— This is a worm which attacks other plants besides tobacco, espe 

 cially creepers, and has a special liking for the Ampelopsis or Virginia Creeper. If not 

 disturbed it w ill soon make its presence known by eating off the leaves, and even the ten- 

 der shoots, straight before it. It generally appears in June, and under various colors, 

 according to what it feeds upon. It grows to a monstrous size, being sometimes from four 

 to six inches long, with a formidable looking horn; and often shows fight when disturbed. 

 Being large, there are never very many on one vine; and they are taken ofT one by one 

 and killed. They are the larv;e_of what is commonly known as the death's-head moth. 



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