144 THE BEGINNER'S GARDEN BOOK 



with any of several mixtures which you can buy at the stores. 

 Aphine is well recommended. Or construct a box into 

 which you can put the plant, burn in it some tobacco — 

 stems are good enough for the purpose; the florist sells 

 them — and leave the plant covered for four or five hours. 



This last remedy is also good for red spider, the second 

 serious pest. He is a tiny red or brown dot seen working on 

 the under side of the leaves. He can be washed away by 

 cold water squirted against the leaves with as much force 

 as possible. Turn the plant upside down under a tall faucet, 

 or spray from a rubber bulb which can be bought at the drug 

 store. Or again, dip the whole top of the plant into water 

 which is a little hotter than you like to put your hand into ; 

 at about 150 degrees. Do this quickly three times. 



The mealy bug looks like little tufts of cotton. Wipe 

 him off with a soapy rag. 



Diseases are luckily very few. Fungus makes the leaves 

 turn to a black powder. To stop it, spray it with Bordeaux 

 mixture. For house-plants this can be bought in convenient 

 form at the seedsman's. Follow the directions on the box 

 or can. 



Mildew covers the leaves with a whitish powder, which 

 makes them curl. Moisten the leaves, and dust thoroughly 

 with flowers of sulphur. 



And always, whether or not the plants are sicldy, water 

 and feed them well, keep the temperature right, and the air 

 moist. 



Review Questions 



1. Why do we not put house-plants in as large pots as possible? 



2. How much water do you give a flowering plant? A resting 

 plant ? 



3. Why should plants be turned every few days ? 



