350 



ON THE CULTURE 



melon-frames, where sulphur is frequently and 

 plentifully used h , that insect never makes any great 

 progress ; but the smell of the sulphur renders the 

 hot-house exceedingly disagreeable. 



The best method of applying sulphur is, to puff 

 it on the plants by the help of a small engine, 

 such as is used by hair-dressers, and the plants 

 should be in a moist state at the time of the oper- 

 ation. The same engine will, with great facility, 

 throw snuff, or tobacco-dust, upon plants infested 

 with the Aphides or Thrips. 1 



Thirdly, The keeping of a hot-house in a moist 

 state, by watering the walks and flues late in an 

 evening, and the frequent sprinkling of plants with 

 water, contributes to retard the progress of insects, 

 particularly the Acari, which are very impatient of 



h The most effectual way of using sulphur for the destruc- 

 tion of the Acari in general, is, by spreading it all over the 

 top of the flues, and particularly that part of the flue near the 

 fire-place, where it is generally kept very hot. 



Some think washing the walls and flues with a mixture of 

 sulphur and water with a little unslacked lime and size (just to 

 set the wash) has also been attended with good effect. But 

 much depends on the nature of the sulphur used. The best 

 sulphur for this purpose is that made by a slow process. Native 

 sulphur is also sometimes used for the above intention. 



i The efficacy of flowers of brimstone, in destroying the 

 scaly insect on Pines, has been confirmed by the experience of 

 many ; when lightly puffed upon the plants, with a hair-dresser's 

 puffing machine, the sulphur will, in once or twice using, hardly 

 leave one in ten thousand of these insects alive, and with very 

 little repetition now and then, will perfectly clear the house of 

 them, without the least damage to the plants. 



