Insects and Preventives 



to four days in bright weather, and from one to two days in dark cloudy 

 weather, after which the salt should be thoroughly washed off the plants 

 by a strong syringing with clear water. Care must be taken not to syringe 

 with the salt solution too often. The carnation plant loves a certain amount 

 of salt, and is not injured by what will reach the soil, provided the applica- 

 tions are not too frequent, or the solution not too strong. 



Do not spray the plants with the salt solution unless the foliage is in a 

 firm, well-hardened condition, for if applied to plants that are in a soft state, 

 that is to say, those that have been grown under a too high temperature, or 

 in soil that has been kept too moist, the tender foliage will be injured or 

 burned, and as the salt keeps the foliage constantly wet during the night time, 

 there is some danger of developing spot upon very soft plants. 



An application of salt should, generally, not be made oftener than once 

 in two weeks ; however, we occasionally syringe with the salt mixture 



Thrips tabaci 



a, adult}; b, antenna 01 same; c, young larva; d, full grown larva 

 Enlarged. (From Howard, U. S., Dept. of Agriculture) 



upon alternate days, using a weaker solution of salt. The red spider does not 

 thrive upon the carnation foliage when it is coated with the salt crystals ; and 

 after one or two thorough applications of the solution comparatively few of the 

 insects will be found. 



Thrips 



While the red spider may be considered one of the worst insects attack- 

 ing the carnation, I believe that the most injurious insect with which the 

 grower has to contend is thrips (Heliothrips tabaci). This, like the red 

 spider, is an insect which it is difficult to see with the naked eye, especially 

 in its young state. It does the principal damage to the flowers while yet 

 in the bud form. Unlike the red spider, which confines its attacks to the 

 epidermis of the foliage, and principally the lower or harder foliage, the 

 thrips attacks the tender, terminal shoots, or the tender petals of the ex- 



