APHIDES, OR GREEN FLY 



nomer, as there is a sooty-coloured pest belonging to 

 this family which affects beans, and another species is 

 a great enemy of hops. Roses, apple-trees, and other 

 garden produce are preyed upon by these hosts of small 

 plant-lice who, by sheer force of numbers and power 

 of multiplication, are difficult to deal with successfully. 

 Certain kinds of birds — and also, be it noted, the larva 

 of the Ladybird Beetle — perform useful work in re- 

 ducing the plagues that infest our gardens, but spraying 

 and hand-picking are alike necessary. Even then, it is 

 difficult to cope with the pests, as their method of pro- 

 pagation is such that, in double-quick time, another 

 host soon appears, and one's work seems never done 

 when the invading Aphides are at their height. Of 

 the species which affect agriculture, horticulture, and 

 forestry mention may be made by name only of the 

 Apple, Bean, Cabbage, Carrot, Cherry, Currant, Goose- 

 berry, Hop, Larch, Peach, Plum, Raspberry, Rose, 

 Rosy Apple, Turnip, and Woolly Aphides. The variety 

 of plants attacked is indicated by the popular name. 

 Spraying with extract of quassia may be recommended 

 (see " Pests of the Garden and Orchard, Farm and 

 Forest," by Ray Palmer, F.E.S., and the Author), and 

 it is very evident that, to be successful in the cultivation 

 of plants, it is essential to have an intimate knowledge of 

 one's friends and foes, and the best method to employ 

 in dealing with those inimical to the interests of man- 

 kind. I venture to recommend the work above re- 

 ferred to in this respect. Perhaps the detestable Woolly 



35 



