19 



under sides, and in at tbeftxtls of the leaves and the stem of 

 tlie plants should all be carefully washed; if other than pure 

 water is used, the foliage should be well syringed to thorougly 

 cleanse the plant. For those plants whose leaves are soft, and 

 feel rough and hairy, better use a brush with rather stiff 

 bristles ; after the plant has been carefully brushed, syringe it 

 with clear water ; this will wash off the eggs of the insects, if 

 there are any deposited on the plant. Another general rule is 

 to submerge the tops of the plants In clear water heated to not 

 more t?i an 120 degrees. If this mode is to be pursued, proceed 

 as follows : Pour the water in a vessel of sufficient depth that 

 the tops of the plant may not be broken ; test the heat of the 

 water with a thermometer; if no more than 120 degrees, turn 

 the plant top down and immerse the tops only in the water, 

 withdrawing them as rapidly as possible without breaking 

 any of the branches ; lay the plants on their sides, so that the 

 drippings may not enter the pot. The above treatment is one 

 of the best for amateurs who have but few plants to take care 

 of. It will not injure the plants if the growth is natural, but if 

 the plants have been grown in the shade, and the new growth 

 is very weak and tender, it may be damaged; however, this 

 will not injure the plant, as it would be decidedly better with- 

 out such a sickly growth. We would caution the operator to 

 be very careful about the heat of the water, as well as the very 

 short space of time the plants are in it, for we don't want 

 anybody to cook their plants through carelessness and then 

 accuse the author for giving directions that could lead to such 

 a result. The above might be called hydropathic treatment. 

 We will now describe the little animals that are the source of 

 so much annoyance and trouble, and prescribe some allopathic 

 medicine to assist them in leaving this mundane sphere ; and 

 while we give the remedy to destroy these Insects do not 

 forget that it is easier to prevent than to destroy. 



G-roen Fly or Aphis is known to all or nearly all Floricultur- 

 ists, nevertheless, for the benefit of the new beginner we will 

 briefly describe it as we have seen it, with and without the aid of 

 a microscope. In color, as is indicated by its name, it is green* 

 its size varies freni ^a scarcely perceptable obiect to one- 

 eighth of an inch in length of body, which is egg-shaped ; on either 

 side arc three legs which are jointed and have at the end two 

 claws which form a hook-shaped foot, the head is small, eyes 

 prominent. We think from this short description you will know 



