V. 



DISEASES AND INSECTS. 



ISEASES are not of fre- 

 quent occurrence in bulb 

 culture, if proper attention 

 is paid to the preparation 



of soil, and the application of water ; and bulbs are subject 



to the attacks of few insects, if reasonable care is taken. 



The principal are red spider, green-fly, mealy bug, black, 



brown, and white scale, mildew and rot. 



PREMATURE FLOWERING. 



Premature flowering that is, the flowers of such bulbs 

 as hyacinths expanding without pushing up a flower-stalk 

 is not strictly a disease, but is caused by improper culture. 

 This not unfrequently occurs when the bulbs are exposed 



51 



