76 HOUSE PLANTS 



Illuminating gas is almost as bad as 

 coal gas. The slightest trace will retard the 

 development of new leaves on all but the 

 toughest-textured plants, like rubbers and 

 palms. Such thin-leaved plants as geranium, 

 coleus, heliotrope, and begonia succumb 

 quickly. When gas is present in very small 

 quantity the plants do not necessarily die but 

 growth is stunted and the flower buds wither 

 when beginning to show colour, looking 

 much as though they had been chilled. 



TOBACCO FOR PLANT LICE 



The commonest insect enemies of house 

 plants are the plant lice or aphides. Look 

 for these pests on the under side of the leaves 

 where they suck the sap. Against them 

 use tobacco water or soap suds. Tobacco 

 water can be made from tobacco "stems" 

 which can be bought from almost any florist 

 or seedsman. Put a large handful into a 

 gallon of warm water and let it stand for 

 twenty-four hours, then dilute it to the colour 

 of weak tea and syringe the foliage, being 

 careful to hit the under side of the leaves. 

 A simpler way is to buy a tobacco extract and 

 follow the directions on the package. 



