Aphelexis 



(58) 



Apicra 



APHELEXIS. 



Description. Evergreen shrubs (jird. Compositte) 

 from the Cape of Good Hope, and requiring treat- 

 ment similar to that of Heaths. They are closely 

 allied to Helichrysum, but are referred to here for 

 garden purposes. The stems are woody and stiff, 

 while the leaves are also of the same dry, rigid 

 texture. Their ornamental character is chiefly due 

 to the dry, coloured bracts surrounding the heads 

 of flowers. The genus is referred to Helichrysum 

 by Bent-ham and Hooker. 



Propagation. By cuttings of the young wood, 

 just getting matured, in sand and peat, inserted 

 firmly in pots and placed under a bell-glass, to be 

 frequently wiped dry to prevent the damping of 

 the cuttings. 



Soil. Fibrous mellow loam one part, peat three 

 parts, with a liberal use of silver sand. Pot firmly. 



Other Cultural Points. In winter they require 

 less moisture than in summer, but the soil must be 

 kept just moist. If allowed to get dust dry it 

 would cripple if not kill the plants. Temperature 

 40 to 45 in winter, 55 to 65 in summer. 



Principal Species and Varieties : 



humilis, 2', My., Je., pk. (syns. A. macrantha and 

 Helichrysum humile). For exhibition purposes this 

 is the most popular, and used to be largely grown 

 when grh. hard-wooded plants were more en- 

 couraged. 



grandiflora, ro. pur. 



rosea, 2', My., Je., ro. 



purpurea, 2', My., Je., pur. Heads large, 

 plant dwarf. 



macrantha (see humilis). 



Other Species : 



ericoides, 1', Je., grh. , wh. sesamoides rubra, 2', Jy., 

 sesamoides, 2', My., pur., red. 



wh. versieolor, 2', Jy., var- 



alba, 2', Jy., wh. iegated. 



APHIDES. 



Under this comprehensive heading is grouped a 

 large family of destructive insects, of which there 

 are nearly 200 species. All Aphides belong to the 

 class known as "sucking" insects, owing to the 

 injury they cause to plants by extracting the sap 

 with the aid of a tubular beak, the amount of 

 damage done being proportionate to the number of 

 insects, and the time they are allowed to pursue 

 their depredations unchecked. Certain species also 

 discharge a sweet sticky secretion, called " honey- 

 dew," from the hinder extremity of the body, which 

 is unsightly on plants, and prevents the leaves from 

 performing their proper functions by sealing up 

 the pores. Ants are very partial to this honeydew, 

 and closely follow the insects in search of it. 



Aphides are a source of continual annoyance to 

 gardeners, as they attack many families of plants, 

 both under glass and outdoors. Eradication is 

 difficult, owing to the rapidity with which the 

 insects reproduce their kind, and the trouble is 

 greater in the case of certain species, which curl 

 up the leaves of their food plants, and thus form a 

 means of safe protection for themselves against 

 both weather and insecticides. In addition to the 

 true males and females, there is a race of wingless, 

 asexual, viviparous individuals, which are pro- 

 duced from eggs that are deposited in the autumn, 

 and, after lying dormant through the winter, are 

 hatched out in the spring. These also reproduce 

 their kind. The food plants of Aphides are of 

 widely contrasted character, and many of the 



species are named after the family on which they 

 prey ; but some insects have such omnivorous tastes 

 that if one food plant fails they adapt themselves 

 to another in the vicinity. They do not enjoy an 

 undisturbed existence, however, for, apart from the 

 efforts of gardeners to destroy them, the larvse of 

 the Ladybird (Coccinella punctata) are great de- 

 stroyers of Aphis, and should be encouraged. 

 Other natural foes are the Syrphus or bee-like fly, 

 Chrysopa perla or golden-eyed fly, ants, cater- 

 pillars, and some of the Ichneumonidai. 



Promptitude is the great thing in destroying 

 Aphides, taking steps to eradicate the pests as soon 

 as their appearance is observed. For spraying and 

 washing plants and trees outdoors there are 

 numerous forms of insecticide that are fatal to 

 Aphides, and to destroy the pests under glass 

 there is nothing better than fumigation, using the 

 various preparations for the purpose. 



For general use where the parasites are access- 

 ible, the following simple mixture is effective : 

 Boil 1 Ib. of Quassia chips and 1 Ib. of soft soap for 

 three or four hours in 3 gal. of soft water. Strain 

 the liquid, add another 3 gal. of water, and apply 

 warm with a syringe or sprayer. 



Tabulated below are the chief species, and 

 remedies are given under the names of the plants 

 and trees on which they feed. 



Aphis Brassicfe (Cabbage Aphis), grn. (see 

 CABBAGE). 



A. Cerasi (Cherry Aphis), blk. (see CHEERY). 



A. Coryli (Nut Aphis), pale grn. (see NUT). 



A. Dahlias (Dahlia Aphis), amber coloured (see 

 DAHLIA). 



A. Faba3 (Bean Aphis), blk. (sec BROAD BEAN). 



A. Humuli (Hop Aphis), grn. 



A. Lignstri (Privet Aphis), dark br. 



A. Mali (Apple Aphis) (see APPLE). 



A. Persicse (Peach and Nectarine Aphis) (see 

 PEACH). 



A. Pruni (Plum Aphis), light grn. (see PLUM). 



A. Pisi (Pea Aphis), grn. (see PEA). 



A. Lonicerse (Woodbine Aphis), dingy grn. 



A. Ribis (Currant Aphis) (see RED CUKRANT). 



A. RapEe (Turnip Aphis) (see TUKXIP). 



A. ROSEB (Rose Aphis), grn. (see ROSE). 



A. Raphani (Radish Aphis). 



APHYLLANTHES. 



A very pretty hardy herbaceous plant (prd. 

 Liliacese) of Rush-like habit, with green stems, 

 rudimentary leaves, and terminal clusters of blue 

 flowers. Requires a warm, dry situation in winter, 

 and a reserve should be kept in a cold frame to 

 preserve it in severe winters. Propagated by seeds 

 sown in pots or boxes when ripe, and placed in a 

 cold frame ; also by division of the tufts in April. 

 Sandy loam and peat, with a little leaf mould, suit. 



Only Species : 



monspeliensis, 1', Je., hdy., bl. 



APICRA. 



Dwarf, slow-growing, and neat succulent plants 

 (nrd. LiliaceEe) closely allied to the true Aloes and 

 Haworthia, with green, white, straw coloured, or 

 yellow flowers. They should be grown in pots in a 

 dry and moderately warm greenhouse, with very 

 little water in winter. They are of easy culture. 

 Propagation is by suckers taken off with or without 

 roots ; also by cuttings kept just moist, but not 

 over-watered, under a bell-glass. Fibrous, mellow 

 loam, mixed with finely broken soft red bricks or 

 potsherds, and sand, suit. 



