: CULTIVATION AND ANALYSIS OF PLANTS. 
ere er 
aN 
Cha els. 
great length of time, as we find them fixed when quite small, in which condition they 
feed and grow. The eggs are hatched under the parent, and in lifting a large one with a 
needle it is no unusual thing to see the litter of young run about in a hurried manner at 
the unwelcome disturbance. x 
Washing with strong soapsuds is a remedy for this annoyance. If picked off by hand, 
washing should not be neglected, as it destroys the young; fumigation will not answer 
so well. We remove ‘them by running a needle through the crown of the shell, 
and washing afterward. The white ones are very partial to Oleanders. They are also 
fond of Olives, Camellias, Acacias, Calla Lilies, Oranges and various evergreen trees. 
Verbena Mite.—This is a microscopic insect that destroys the plant for which it is 
named, as also the Heliotrope and other rough-leaved plants, causing the foliage to turn 
brown. It is difficult to dislodge it, as it cares but little for water, fumigations or ordinary 
methods. To promote a vigorous, healthy growth of the plant is the best remedy. 
Roller Caterpillar.—This insect, perhaps more commonly known as the Rose Slug, 
is the larve of a moth, that makes its appearance early in May and lays its eggs on the 
under side of rose leaves. These hatch out in a few days, producing the small, green 
caterpillars, which at once begin to eat the leayes on the under side. Toward evening 
they creep on the upper side of the leaves, where, if not disturbed, they will eat all night, 
and leave the foliage as if it had been burned. With watchfulness at the proper time 
they are easily got rid of by being carefully picked off and killed, and the first lot 
disposed of is generally the last of them for the season. Hellebore powder or Paris green 
sprinkled on the leaves when they are damp or wet will destroy them; but the safest 
thing to dust upon roses is soot frem soft coal, for when it washes off it acts as a useful 
stimulant. In fact, soot mixed with guano, in about equal quantities, and boiling water 
poured upon them, make an excellent liquid manure for all kinds of flowers; which, when 
diluted in the ratio of one part to three of clean water, may be poured over the heads of 
plants, keeping them free from insects and at the same time contributing to a healthy 
growth. It is not advisable to use poisonous remedies against insects; it is far better for 
the plant as well as its care-taker if the latter use only the eye, the hand and the great 
natural cleanser, pure water, with an occasional admixture of soap. 
Rose Beetle.—This small insect derives its special name from its partiality to rose 
leaves, being seldom found on any other plant. It is not very destructive or numerous, 
and can be easily disposed of by keeping the plants clean and in good order. Thousands 
of Roses are made unsightly or destroyed every season by insects which a little precau- 
tion on the part of the cultivators, in the timely application of common remedies, might 
readily have prevented. 
Tobacco Worm.—This is a worm which attacks other plants besides tobacco, espe- 
cially creepers, and has a special liking for the Ampelopsis or Virginia Creeper. If not 
disturbed it will soon make its presence known by eating off the leaves, and even the ten- 
der shoots, straight before it. It generally appears in June, and under various colors, 
according to what it feeds upon. It grows to a monstrous size, being sometimes from four 
to six inches long, with a formidable looking horn; and often shows fight when disturbed. 
Being large, there are never very many on one vine; and they are taken off one by one 
and killed. They are the larva of what is commonly known as the death’s-head moth. 
340 
LS 
oe 
ms 
wHg—ehD 
b, 
