Quassia as a Substitute for Tobacco. 307 



made of ash, and have no brackets : these are useful for a variety 

 of purposes, such as picking up litter in the flower-garden, or 

 carrying soil ; and, in fact, for every purpose for which the 

 common basket is generally used. 

 London, April, 1842. 



Art. V. On the Use of Quassia as a Substitute for Tobacco, in 

 destroying Aphides. By E. O. 



The season of the year having arrived when the green fly is 

 often very troublesome to the lovers of plants, and the usual 

 remedy for their destruction very unpleasant (especially for 

 ladies), perhaps some of your fair readers will be glad to learn 

 that they may effectually destroy them without offensive smell 

 or dirty appearance. 



I have long wished to discover something of the sort, but 

 have never been fortunate enough to meet with it till this 

 season, and having given it what I consider a fair trial, I venture 

 to send it forth to the public that others may benefit by it ; and if, 

 in using it, they should in any way improve it, I hope they will 

 make it known through the same channel as I have. The 

 remedy is this : take 1 oz. of quassia chips to every quart of 

 water you require, and boil it for a few minutes ; when cold 

 enough, dip the plants in it, or syringe them with it. They may 

 want, in some instances, a second dipping, but those who wish 

 to see clean plants will not mind that. 



I purposely reserved some foul plants to try it on, and I 

 have completely cleaned them ; and, as far as my experience 

 has gone, it appears to leave a taste on the leaves which the fly 

 does not like, as they seldom attack the same plant after being 

 properly cleaned. Your readers will please to bear in mind, 

 that I am not recommending this where all the plants in a 

 house are attacked ; but it frequently happens that, for want of 

 timely cleaning a few plants in pots, a whole conservatory soon 

 becomes infested with the insects. Perhaps you will allow me 

 to trespass so far on your valuable pages as to relate the manner 

 in which I have used it. Some one else may adopt a better 

 plan. I have a house about 60 ft. long; in it I force a variety of 

 plants, a considerable portion of which consists of moss and 

 other roses. You are aware that few plants are more liable to 

 the attacks of aphis than roses. Chiefly, but not wholly, I 

 directed the application of the quassia to them, and the way I 

 proceeded was as follows : — Having procured a vessel to hold a 

 gallon, I had the plants brought, and dipped them one at a time 

 deep enough to reach the parts infected, taking care not to shake 

 them unnecessarily, but to return them to their places steadily, 



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