35 2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



always with us through the summer and autumn. They prey upon the buds, and 

 afterwards are apt to disfigure what would otherwise have been perfect blooms. 

 Earwigs may be trapped in small flower-pots filled with dry moss, but, all things 

 considered, hunting for and capturing them at night and crushing caterpillars at any 

 time, are the simplest and surest methods to pursue in most cases. 



Weevils. — A large brown weevil is sometimes troublesome by eating the tender 

 leaves. It is a night feeder and can only be caught by the aid of artificial light. A 

 very minute species is often much more destructive by piercing the tips of the shoots, 

 causing them to bend over. Though a day visitant, it can only be seen by watchful 

 eyes. On the first appearance of mischief, syringe the plants and dust them while wet 

 with tobacco powder, continuing the practice to prevent further depredations. 



Damping. — Some of the causes of damping, or premature decay of the blooms, have 

 been already alluded to. The best preventives are timely housing, avoidance of a too 

 free use of forcing manures, shading from strong sunshine, drawing down the roof 

 blinds on clear nights, to check radiation, and thus prevent the condensation of mois- 

 ture on the flowers, and maintaining a diy, genial atmosphere. 



Yarieties of Chrysanthemums. 



Each year new varieties are introduced, and the best of these gain distinctive 

 marks, or certificates of merit, and each season should see a corresponding number of 

 varieties eliminated from catalogues and private lists. (Selections will follow in Yol. II.) 



END OF VOL. I. 



TE1NTED BY J. S. VIRTUE AND CO., LIMITED, CITY EOAD, LONDON. 



