ON CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 1 63 



the leave's distasteful to the perfect insect. The old-fashioned 

 method of squeezing the insects between finger and thumb has 

 much to recommend it. Occasionally plants are so badly attacked 

 that nothing short of burning the infested leaves is of any use. 



Thrips are sometimes destructive to the shoots ; but they may 

 be destroyed by syringing them with the preparation suggested 

 for Aphides on outside plants. 



Ants are injurious to the buds, and will penetrate them if but 

 a beginning has been made. They should be trapped by means 

 of pieces of sponge dipped into a sweet liquid or some bones 

 containing a little meat. In the latter case the insects should 

 be brushed off into boiling water; while in the former the 

 sponge should be dropped into a vessel of boiling water. 



Cockroaches of several kinds attack the blossoms, though on 

 account of their night-feeding propensities they are seldom seen, 

 and less often suspected. Heat, however, being absolutely 

 necessary to the welfare of these insects, it is only where this is 

 applied that Cockroaches are really troublesome. The ranks of 

 these insects have been considerably strengthened of late years 

 by further introductions from abroad — all undesirable visitors 

 because of their omnivorous tastes. Phosphorus paste or the 

 Ballinkinrain preparation may be most serviceably employed in 

 keeping down these insects. 



Woodlice. — Turning from the insects for a moment to crusta- 

 ceans, the Chrysanthemum-grower has in Woodlice some very 

 objectionable animals, as, like the Cockroaches, they will con- 

 siderably damage the blossoms. As a rule, they are strong in 

 numbers, and once thoroughly established they are difficult to 

 oust. Vegetable traps in the form of sliced or hollowed potato, 

 may be tried ; but usually flower-pots half filled with hay and 

 turned upon their sides, are the most effective, as the YVbodlice 

 shelter there after their midnight revels, and may easily be 

 shaken out and destroyed. More effective still is the trap where 

 the inside of the pot is smeared with a sugary mixture com- 

 posed of treacle, foot's-sugar, and beer. 



Slugs. — Certain members of yet another distinct family, the 

 Mollusca (viz., Slugs, &c), infest the Chrysanthemum, and take 

 toll of the blossoms. Slugs are nocturnal, and should be enticed 

 with bran or brewers' grains, and then collected and destroyed. 



Leather-Jackets. — These are the destructive larvae of the Crane- 

 fly, or Daddy Long-legs. They abound in pastures and lands, 

 and therefore they may be readily introduced with the potting- 

 soil. They feed for a long time as larvae, and would quickly 

 destroy the roots of any Chrysanthemum. The soil should 

 therefore be carefully examined at potting-time, and if any of 

 the insects are noticed they should be destroyed. 



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