350 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



once disturl3ed, the full-gTOwn insects never again 

 establish themselves on the leaves of the x^lants. 



Mealy Bug {Coccus adonidnm). — This insect is 

 so well knoviTi to every gardener, and so much 

 dreaded hy all who have had to contend with it in 

 fruit-houses, that further description of it may be 

 considered superfluous. It has already been treated 

 of under " Vines." 



AVhen it gets established on Pine plants, it is most 

 difficult to dislodge, as its white mealy covering- 

 seems to iDrotect and render it almost impervious to 

 hot water, iinless it can be driven against it with 

 great force. It very soon spreads from the leaves to 

 the stems and roots, when it becomes almost as 

 formidable, and quite as destructive, as the white 

 scale itself, as it is capable of gaining- a secure 

 resting-place under the soil and in every crevice 

 throughout the house in which the plants are 

 located. A great number of poisonous mixtures have 

 been recommended for its destru.ction, and were it 

 possible to bring- every female under their direct 

 influence, there can be but little doubt that the next 

 generation of gardeners would know it only by name, 

 but disagreeable facts to the contrary prove that 

 annihilation has not yet been accomplished. Con- 

 sequently its first appearance should be the signal for 

 immediate warfare, and no pains should be spared, 

 even to the burning- of infested plants, in preference 

 to allowing- a single bug to remain in the Pinery. 

 By those who have the misfortune to be engaged 

 in the destruction of this loathsome insect, the 

 solution recommended for the white scale may be 

 applied: or the following, which has been taken 

 from the " Transactions of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society" : — "To three gallons of soft water add two 

 pounds of soft-soap, eight ounces of sulphui' vivum, 

 and two ounces of camphor; boil together for an 

 hour, and then add three oxmces of turpentine. 

 Tui-n the jplants out of the pots, shake out the balls, 

 and immerse the roots and tops in a trough filled 

 with the liquid, at a temperature of 120° to 130"'. 

 Allow the plants to remain five minutes in the 

 liquid, turn them up for it to drain out of the 

 hearts, re-pot and re-]3lung-e in a pit that has been 

 properly cleansed and prepared with fresh plunging 

 material." All who have had to use these powerful 

 ingredients know how dangerous they are, and it 

 is now well kno-^ that tirrpentine is the most 

 active agent in the destruction of the insects. 

 With this knowledge for their guide, growers of 

 the present day have dispensed with all but the 

 spirits ; but instead of using turpentine, they apply 

 paraffin, one wine-glassful to a gallon of water, with 

 the best possible result, j)rovided the plants are 

 taken in hand before the bug gets into the soil. 



As jjre^iously advised, the water should be kept 

 in constant agitation to prevent the oil from float- 

 ing on the surface, dimng the operation of S}T:inging. 

 The plants should be taken out of the beds, but not 

 out of the pots, and laid on their sides, heads inclin- 

 ing do\AHwards, to prevent the spirit from lodging 

 m the hearts or reaching- the roots, to which it might 

 prove injurious. In half an hoiu- they should be 

 well syringed with clean water at a temperature of 

 90*^, and left to drain before they are re-plunged. 



Methylated spirit, as obtained from the chemist, 

 and applied with a camel's -hair brush, causes in- 

 stant death to every insect wliich can bo reached by 

 the hand. "SMien operations of this kind are going 

 on, and for some time afterwards, prudence suggests 

 drawing do^\-n the blinds during bright sunshine. 



YAFdETIES OF FINES. 

 Although the varieties of Pines arc numerous, it 

 is not necessary to grow many kinds to keej) up 

 a supply of good fruit throughout the summer 

 and winter; and as many of the kinds formerly 

 grown have given wa}' to the few which are now 

 considered the best, this list will be confined 

 to the names of those which have been found 

 indispensable in ordinary private Pine-gTOwing 

 establishments. As all the varieties contained in 

 this selection of the best are not alike well adapted 

 to summer or winter, it is my intention to give a 

 brief description of each, with remarks as to their 

 keeping- qualities and seasons of use. 



The Queen. — Of this fine old Pine several varie- 

 ties arc grown, but none are better than the Ripley. 

 It is a dwarf comi^act grower, with broad mealy 

 leaves, produces many suckers, and propagates freely. 

 Fruit : cylindrical, bright yellow^, pips prominent, 

 but quite flat when perfectly swelled ; flesh pale, 

 juicy, rich, and of first-rate quality. It is a sure 

 starter, finishes its fi'uit quickly, and on this account 

 is the best and most generally grown for giving a, 

 supply for the early London season. As an exhibi- 

 tion Pine, its handsome appearance and superior 

 quality always insure for it the first place in the 

 front rank. Its quality as a summer and autumn 

 Pine is not excelled, if equalled, by any other kind ; 

 but being rather tender it does not swell well in 

 winter, when it is generally deficient in juiciness 

 and flavour. "Weight of fruit, from three to eight 

 pounds. The latter weight is exceptional, but fruits 

 weighing from five to six pounds are now frequently 

 produced by successful growers. It keeps in good 

 condition three weeks after being ripe. 



Hurst Hoiise, or Fairrie's Queen. — This re- 

 markable Pine is well adapted for small places where 



