320 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



being swept or dusted. Every week or two syringe both 

 upper and lower surfaces of the leaves of the plants with 

 clear cold water. For this purpose a hard-rubber, goose- 

 neck sprinkler costing seventy-five cents or a dollar is very 

 convenient. If you have only a few plants they may be set 

 in a sink or a tub for this operation. 



Palms, rubber trees and other large-leaved plants should 

 occasionally be wiped off with a moist, soft cloth. Do not 

 use olive oil or try any other stunts to make the leaves 

 clean and shiny, as this will clog up the pores, which is 

 just what should be avoided. Cut off promptly all dead 

 leaves and flowers and any leaves that show signs of disease. 



Plants that are carefuUy looked after and given an 

 abundance of fresh air will seldom be troubled by insect 

 pests. Avoid furnishing your enemies congenial conditions, 

 such as overcrowding, overheating, poor Hght, dryness — in 

 fact anything that will have a tendency to check or weaken 

 the growth of the plants. The insects most likely to be 

 encountered inside the house are the green aphis or plant 

 louse; the "mealy bug" — a soft-bodied scale that hides 

 under a white covering resembling a minute tuft of cotton; 

 the white fly; and the red spider, which is about the size 

 of a grain of pepper, infests the under sides of the leaves 

 and is indicated by a Hght green color of the foliage, with 

 minute yellow spots. Nicotine sprays, kerosene emulsion, 

 etc., are as effective indoors as out. The plants should be 

 watched carefully, and a suitable remedy used at the first 

 sign of trouble. 



The quickest, simplest and cleanest remedy for any of 

 these pests is a hot bath. This can be given readily when 

 only a few plants are to be treated. Dip them quickly, 

 several times in succession, into water heated to 140 to 160 

 degrees; rinse them off in clear, cold water. In appljang 

 this treatment for the white fly do it when the plant is 

 quite cold, and the insects are dormant. Other remedies 

 are: Nicotone in one of the several trade forms that simply 

 have to be diluted with water and appUed; tobacco dust, 

 which is specially good as a preventive; and kerosene 



