INSECTS AND OTHER ENEMIES. G3 



Stem-like bulbs had been imported witli it from New Guinea, and it made 

 sad mischief, for it was found that to extirpate this pest the only plan 

 was to cut off the infested stems and burn them. 



There is no doubt that in this matter prevention is better than cure. 

 Therefore these enemies must be kept in check by careful examination 

 of the plants when they reach this country ; for this purpose, before 

 admitting them in our Orchid houses they should be placed in a 

 probationary structure, and, should insects be found on them, one 

 should not rest until they are entirely got rid of. We repeat what 

 we have often said on previous occasions : well wash every part of the 

 plant, leaves, bulbs, and roots, and then there will be little chance of the 

 insects escaping destruction. 



Imported plants are not by any means the only ones that suffer from 

 insect pests. Wo frequently see plants exposed for sale in a disgrace- 

 fully foul condition ; in fact, they look as though water and sponge had 

 never been near them. These Orchids require quite as much looking 

 after as the imported ones, and the best plan of procedure is to thoroughly 

 cleanse the bulbs and foliage, shake them out of the pots, cut away all 

 the decayed roots, wash the sound roots in clean water, and then pot 

 them in clean pots and in new material, according to the directions given 

 ibr performing this operation. This, if efficiently done, will be a sure 

 means of eradicating the pests, which the inexperienced grower will have 

 to search closely for in order to find. Some of them are to be seen 

 in the shape of eggs ; others appear as young insects, but so minute that 

 a magnifying glass should be employed in searching the foliage to 

 discover them. If, however, the plan recommended above be followed, 

 all traces of them will be cleared away. We find in the case of plants, 

 as well as animals, that cleanliness is one of the fii'st steps towards 

 securing good health. We have now, we trust, shown what to do and 

 what to avoid, in the case of imported plants and established specimens 

 affected by these pests. 



Cockroaches are among the greatest plagues with which we have 

 to contend ; they will do a great deal of mischief in a few nights if 

 not intercepted, and they should therefore be sought after at every 

 opportunity. The food they like best is the young tender roots and flower 

 stems, and we have known the roots of a plant completely eaten off in one 

 night by these depredators. The only way to keep these insects under is 



