INSECTICIDES AND PLANT DISEASES 



HILE I cannot but feel that "the poor little 

 bugs should be given a chance for a living," 

 I constantly am asked for directions for cleans- 

 ing shrubs, trees and flowering plants from the 

 various pests that beset them. Two-thirds of 

 the evils that afflict our gardens come from neglect. Rose 

 bushes that are kept carefully washed daily are not likely to 

 have small insects on them to any annoying degree, for the 

 small insects do not relish a daily shower-bath. Among 

 florists no treatment at all is generally used, save the vigorous 

 shower-bath to cleanse the garden of ordinary pests. Pre- 

 vention is best made earlyln the season, for after a garden 

 once has come into the hands of the enemy it is difficult to get 

 control again. There are, of course, sudden invasions of 

 disease that may be subdued only by the complete annihil- 

 ation of the plant in order that the insect may be eradicated, 

 but generally speaking even the troublesome scale will not 

 find its way to plants that are kept free from dust. 



Hellebore is the best general insecticide I know. For 

 bushes and vines, first sprinkle with water and then scatter 

 the powder over them. Few insects or worms can withstand 

 this poison. Care should be taken to secure the fresh white 

 hellebore. Tobacco dust and tobacco tea are useful when 



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