88 GARDENING DIFFICULTIES SOLVED 



checking growth and spoiling the appearance of the plants. It is also 

 a very difficult pest to suppress, particularly on Gloxinias and Ges- 

 neras, as from the woolliness of their leaves they are liable to be 

 seriously affected by an insecticide. The whole mite family have a 

 great dislike to sulphur, hence recourse is had to paraffin emulsion, 

 2 oz. to 1 gallon of water, adding ^ oz. of sulphide of potassium, and 

 using as a spray. This, however, has a stunting effect on plants 

 with hairy leaves, and I find it better to use tobacco water, or, better 

 still, nicotine wash 1 oz. nicotine solution (98 per cent.) to 8| gallons 

 of rain water, and spray the plants with this at intervals of three or 

 four days about three times, and then at fortnightly or three weekly 

 intervals to prevent recurrence of attack. 



How to Get Rid of Woodlice 



Q. My greenhouse is infested with woodlice. How can I get 

 rid of them 1 E. K., Wimborne. 



A. The most practical means of getting rid of them is trapping. 

 If a little old hay or dry moss is placed in the bottom of a dirty 

 flower pot with a little piece of cooked Potato, the woodlice will 

 feed therein in great numbers. These traps should be emptied every 

 morning, this will be found to have a wonderful effect in lessening 

 the numbers of woodlice. 



Green Fly in Conservatory 



Q. I should be glad to know the best means of keeping down 

 green fly which swarms on Roses and other plants in my conser- 

 vatory. 8. E., Mitcham. 



A. Undoubtedly the best means of keeping down green fly in 

 a greenhouse is by fumigation. If you are not prepared to go to 

 the expense of purchasing the concentrated preparations of nicotine 

 for fumigating, the next best thing for you to do is to purchase 

 tobacco rag from a horticultural sundriesman. All that is necessary 

 is to drop a few handfuls of the tobacco rag on to two or three red hot 

 pieces of coke from the furnace. Whilst smoking it must be care- 

 fully watched, flames must be kept down, otherwise it will be 

 injurious to the plants near. Place the red hot coke in very small 

 heaps on the path of the house about 15 feet apart, and remove the 

 plants immediately over the fumes. 



How to Grow Begonia Gloire de Lorraine 



Q. I am anxious to grow this beautiful winter flowering Begonia. 

 Will you please give me the essential details of cultivation 1Epping. 



