A SIMPLE FLOWER GAEDEJT. 



59 



live coals upon the fire-shovel. Set it upon the wet floor, 

 and sprinkle over the coals a handful of drj tobacco, broken 

 up fine. When it is fairlj lighted and smoking freelj, 

 place the wet tobacco over it. When the smoke begins to 

 pour out in clouds shut the room up tight, and leave the 

 bugs to their fate. In about an hour a good sprinkling of 

 water may be given to remove the dead or dying insects, 

 and when the dripping has ceased the plants may be re- 

 turned to their places. Should the flies reappear, repeat the 

 dose. Another troublesome pest is the mealy bug, or 

 woolly aphis. It is a small, downy, white, sluggish creature 

 that clings to the stems of the cape jasmine and other 

 plants. The only way to rid the plants of this pest is to 

 wash them with warm soap-suds, using an old tooth-brush 

 to sweep them away. The red spider, an almost invisible, 

 red-colored, and very troublesome insect, sometimes appears 

 upon house plants. The vigorous use of the syringe and cold 

 water will keep it away. If a plant becomes very badly 

 affected by them, the best way is to throw it away at once. 

 The white scale, that appears upon the ivy, must be treated 

 as was his cousin, the mealy bug. 



Mildew and black rust sometimes attack window plants 

 in the spring. The sulphur solution mentioned in Chapter 

 III. will quickly cure both troubles. 



TURNING TO THE LIGHT 



must be resorted to from this time till spring. By this 



