60O THE GREEN-HOUSE [SEPT. 



the destruction of this insect, that I know of, is to 

 brush the under surfaces of the leaves with a soft 

 brush, what is called a sash-tool by painters. In 

 doing this, care must be taken not to bruise or in- 

 jure the leaves. It may readily be done, however, 

 by taking the foot stalk of the leaf to be brushed 

 between the thumb and finger of the left hand, 

 spreading the leaf back into the palm, and drawing 

 the brush once or twice gently across it, towards 

 the right hand. The larger leafed plants are the 

 more easily done, and with less risk of injuring them ; 

 but any plant, by sufficient pains-taking, may be 

 cleansed so. It may be remarked, that a new tool, 

 one that has never been dipped in oil, is to be pre- 

 ferred to one that has been used, either in painting, 

 or has been much worn by brushing furniture, or 

 the like. The looser and the better separated the 

 bristles of the brush are, the better they catch hold 

 of, and break the webs of the insect. 



It may be proper now also to examine the plants 

 carefully for other insects, as the coccus, chermes, 

 &c. and if any be found on them, to wash them 

 with soap and water, as directed in March. It is 

 advisable to have the plants made quite clean about 

 this time, or next month at the latest, that such 

 washings may not be necessary in winter. 



