68 orchid-grower's manual. 



for, the hearts of the plants especially being well searched ; and if any of 

 them should appear their destruction must be set about at once, no rest 

 being given until they are banished from their haunts. For the purpose 

 of destroying them use carefully a fine hair brush wetted with tobacco 

 water so that the young leaves may not be bruised ; then take all the 

 material out of the pot and burn it, wash the roots, and supply fresh 

 moss, as they might accumulate among the roots. It is best to remove 

 the infested plants to another house until the pest has been entirely 

 subdued. When they are thoroughly cleared of the Thrips, take the 

 plants back to the house, but keep a close watch upon them. 



Stock-seed Scale. There is also a scale insect which has made its 

 waA' into our collections during the last few years ; it is known to 

 Orchidists as the Stock-seed Scale, and is so named from its close 

 resemblance to the seed of the stock. This generally gets under the 

 leaves and flower spikes, and must be washed off the plants. Some 

 persons think they are harmless ; but they do harm, because they must 

 exist upon something, and that something must be the juices of the 

 plant. They increase rapidly, and go from plant to plant. Where 

 these are found there are always plenty of small ants, so that there must 

 be something for these pests to live upon, or they would not be followed 

 by those busy insects that are always searching for food. If the Scale 

 is not destroyed, it will in time infest the whole house of plants. Ant.s 

 appear to be very fond of this insect, and will travel a long way after it, 

 carrying the dust from the potting material with them and disfiguring 

 the plant. The practice of cleanliness by Orchid growers will be found 

 the right road to secure success in the cultivation of their plants. 



The WooDLOUSE and small Snails and Slugs of whatever species are 

 also very destructive. These, like the cockroach, are all very fond of the 

 young roots. They may be trapped by cutting some potatoes, scooping 

 out the inside, and placing them on the pots and baskets, looking them 

 over every night and morning till the house is cleared of the vermin. 

 Turnips cut in slices will answer the same end. Small flower-pots, with 

 some dry moss at the bottom, also form capital traps for the Woodlouse ;. 

 lay them on their sides in different parts of the house, and examine them 

 frequently, destroying those that are caught. Toads and Green Frogs 

 are very useful in catching these pests, and a few placed in a house prove 

 verv serviceable. 



