DESTROYING INSECTS. 



prepared for, and given, a shift as advised, extension roots quickly take possession 

 of the new soil, and the progress of the plants, if other conditions are favourable, will 

 be satisfactory. 



INSECT PESTS. 



Unless stove plants can be kept free from insect pests, the best of soil cannot produce 

 healthy plants. Under the favourable conditions 

 that they find in heated structures, certain insect 

 pests will inevitably increase in the absence of 

 prevention or repressive measures. 



Mealy Bug- ( Coccus adonidum). — This is, per- 

 haps, the worst pest to combat of all. The 

 female is a broad, flattened insect, with short 

 legs, and protected with a mealy or cottony sub- 

 stance, while the males are small-winged insects, 

 quite minute. Once well established in a stove 

 or warm greenhouse the mealy bug is very dim- 

 cult to eradicate. Fumigating with tobacco is of 

 little avail, but the "X. L. All" Nicotine Vapor- 

 izer destroys some of the insects, without, how- 

 ever, damaging the eggs. Methylated spirits, 

 petroleum, as well as other insecticides, if used 

 strong enough to kill the insects, may also injure 

 some of the plants operated upon. Experimental 

 tests are advised prior to general application. 



Smooth-leaved, moderately hard- wooded plants, 

 such as crotons, ixoras, stephanotes, and gar- 

 denias, may be cleared of mealy bug by means of hot-water, soft soap, and petroleum. 

 The water should be heated to about 120°, and in 3 gallons of this dissolve a 

 lump of soft soap about the size of a hen's egg, after which add 6 ozs. of petroleum, 

 measured with the aid of an 8-oz. medicine bottle. Mix thoroughly, and apply with 

 a syringe, forcing every second syringeful into the can. Unless this precaution is 

 taken the oil will collect on the surface, and, as a consequence, some portion of the 

 plant or plants operated on may receive too much of it and be ruined, and the rest not 



Fig. 123. Repotting (proper). 

 References : I, roots free, with space above 

 for watering; m, adequate room for fresh 

 soil ; drainage adequate. 



