S92 THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. [Apt. 



the leaves, it is not mere sprinkling that will dislodge it ; it 

 must have the water applied with force from the garden-engine, 

 and that in a considerable quantity, and repeated twice each 

 day, or oftener, first working the engine from the right hand 

 side of the tree, and then from the left, so that no part of the 

 leaves can escape a general washing. If this be properly at- 

 tended to, it will not only keep the insect off altogether, but 

 will di-ive it off, however strong it may be. It is of much 

 consequence to the ti'ees that it be not allowed to gain a-head, 

 for in that case, many of the leaves will fall off, or be unable 

 to perform their functions, and consequently the tree must 

 sufter a great check. The operation of washing should be 

 performed in the evening, particularly as at that time the effects 

 of the moisture will not be so soon lost ; but if there be any 

 appearance of frost, it had better be done early in the morn- 

 ing, before the sun has any effect upon the trees. 



The Acarifs holoserictis, or scarlet acarus, an insect simi- 

 lar to the red spider, and belonging to the same genus, is 

 equally destructive to fruit-trees, and is often by gardeners 

 confounded with it. Water is the only cure for it, applied ia 

 the same way as for the red spider. 



Wasps will be considered more fully, when we come to treat 

 of their attacks upon ripe fruits. In the mean time, care 

 should be taken to destroy every one that makes its appear- 

 ance, for by destroying one at this season, a whole nest is 

 thereby prevented from being formed. To promote their de- 

 struction, an equal sum ought to be given to the destroyer of 

 a queen wasp at this season, as for a nest in autumn. Nothinf ■ 

 has been found to keep down this troublesome insect so effec- 

 tually, as remunerating the operatives in and about the garden 

 with so much money for each insect destroyed at this season, 

 as well as for each nest when fully formed. 



Ear-wigs. — As the ear-wig retires during the day to hide in 

 some hole, it may be caught by hanging bean-stalks, cut into 

 short lengths, in various parts of the tree or plant that it in- 

 fests, into which it is almost sure to go, and upon examining 

 them they may be taken out and destroyed. They are very 

 desti'uctive to flowers, more so than fruits, and are carefully 

 sought after by the florist. 



