OF THE PINE-APPLE. 



349 



that may be found useful in preventing their be- 

 coming so. 



First, The Acarus may be destroyed with good 

 effect on the Vine, or any other plant that has 

 large leaves of a firm texture, by the following 

 method : 



Take a small brush, such as is used for common 

 painting, the bristles of which should be long, soft, 

 pliable, and quite dry at the time of using ; then 

 one hand being laid flat on the upper surface of 

 the leaf, draw the brush gently with the other, two 

 or three times, backwards and forwards, on the 

 under-side. 



The body of the Acarus being very soft, and 

 its construction exceedingly delicate, it is there- 

 fore destroyed with the most gentle touch. Be- 

 sides, the brush most readily wipes off their web, 

 as well as their globular transparent eggs, which 

 are, by a fine membrane, fastened to the leaves of 

 plants ; on which sometimes they are so exceed- 

 ingly numerous, as even to astonish the beholder 

 when looked at through a proper glass. 



The operation is most readily performed, and 

 very greatly retards the progress of this most 

 pernicious insect. The brush being so soft in its 

 nature, does not, if any tolerable degree of care 

 and attention be given, in the least incommode or 

 injure the plants. 



Secondly, The dusting of plants frequently with 

 flowers of sulphur is very disgustful to the Acari, 

 and prevents their increase. In hot-houses or 



