DISEASES AND INSECTS. 55 



Heat and drought are favorable to their growth and 

 development ; and they are most abundant in the warmest 

 and sunniest parts of the greenhouse, such as the top 

 shelves near the glass, where Cape bulbs are usually 

 grown to prevent them from becoming drawn. 



The remedy is copious syringing, whenever the plants 

 are not in full sunshine. If the foliage can be kept moist 

 for a while, it is certain death to the spider. 



This is the reason for the constant syringing of foliage 

 required in the culture of Cape bulbs, as, without great care, 

 they are sure to be attacked by spider. In this the old 

 maxim, " An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of 

 cure," well applies ; for if the red spider once establishes 

 himself, and browns the leaves, the beauty of the plant is 

 gone for the season. 



While red spider is peculiarly a subject of in-door culture, 

 it sometimes, in times of drought, becomes formidable in 

 the garden. During the last two summers of extreme 

 drought (1864 and 1865), it has been very common on 

 gladiolus as well as on many garden-plants ; but, though 

 always to b.e found on garden-plants in summer, it seldom 

 produces any perceptibly injurious effects. 



