ON PRESERVING THE BEAUTY OF FLOWERS. 



93 



insects. And with respect to standard trees, we presume that a hand-glass filled 

 with smoke and held for a few minutes over the closely pruned head, would protect 

 those beautiful tufts of blossom from the common enemy. 



It may appear, that as the smoke of tobacco is noxious and most fatal to the 

 insects, its application would deprive the flowers of half their value, by tainting, 

 or robbing them of their fragrance. But that this may not happen, the smoke 

 should be applied when the flowers are only in bud ; and which would give time 

 for the tobacco taint to escape before they blow. 



Sprinkling the trees with water previous to fumigating, is considered advisable ; 

 as more likely to arrest the smoke, as well upon the plants as upon the sensitive 

 organs of the insects. 



Many other flowers may be defended from the attack of aphides, when in the 

 bud state, by the fumes of tobacco timeously administered. Both carnations and 

 pinks often require such defence ; and even the common China-asters, so difficult 

 to grow well for several years past, were their seedlings pricked into a close 

 frame, or under hand-glasses, and frequently fumigated, might render them proof 

 against that minute aphis or other insect to which they have been so subject of 

 late years. 



In seeking remedies for such disasters, the old proverb constantly recurs — 

 would not " prevention be better than cure V yes, surely; and as we are pretty 

 certain that the eggs of the aphis, as well as those of many other insects, are laid on 

 the plants in the autumn — that season should be chosen to dust or drench the plants 

 with some offensive preparation, to disgust, if possible, the mothers from choosing 

 those plants for their nurseries which we wish to preserve. This is an experiment 

 which has often been suggested ; but never followed up, perhaps, with the neces- 

 sary perseverance ; nevertheless there can be no doubt but that the autumn is 

 the best season for protecting plants against their being pitched upon by the 

 provident mothers as stations, and to furnish food for their young of the next 

 spring. 



Supposing then that a rosarium were intended to be fortified against the 

 seizure of the aphides, tortrices, or other insects which beset rose-trees; the manager 

 must provide himself with a large water-butt full of soap-suds from a laundry. 

 This should be strongly impregnated with flour of brimstone ; and if a gallon or 

 two of tobacco liquor be added, the mixture would be still more efficacious. This 

 liquid should be applied with a garden engine, in order that it may be distributed 

 equally and so forcibly as to lodge on every crevice of the bark, and in every 

 hollow or cleft about the buds and branches. The first application may be made 

 in August, or as soon as the principal bloom is over ; and should be repeated in 

 every following month till Christmas. And if, to make doubly sure, a drenching 

 were given when the buds have pushed about a quarter of an inch, and also then 

 fumigated, would go far, we think, to secure rose-trees from the attack of aphides, 

 for one season at least. 



