THE FORCING GARDEN. 755 



INSECTS AND DISEASES TO WHICH THE PINE IS LIABLE. 



Diseases, the pine may be said to have none ; and such in- 

 sects as are found upon them are the effect, and not the cause 

 of any sickly appearance that they may assume. When pines 

 are well managed, and kept in a vigorous, free-growing state, 

 they are not only exempt from insects, but if they should 

 even be introduced amongst them, they will not annoy, hut 

 leave them'' 



The white scaly coccus, or mealy hug, is the most inju- 

 rious insect to the pine, and although it appears almost inani- 

 mate, it will soon, if not removed by the application of certain 

 compositions, which appear to be destructive to them, be of 

 infinite injury to the plants ; but the best of all cures is good 

 management. Speechly and others describe another enemy of 

 this genus, probably a sub-variety of the former, and which 

 is called the white mealy crimson-tinged insect. The brown 

 turtle insect, or brown scaly coccus, Coccus hesperidum, or 

 bug, also infests the pine. It is nearly allied to the first, but 

 not so injurious in its effects. 



Many methods have been tried for the destruction of these 

 insects, with more or less effect. The following receipts have 

 been used by persons long celebrated for their successful cul- 

 ture of the pine : — 



" Miller recommended turning the plants out of the pots, 

 and clearing the roots ; then keeping them immersed four-and- 

 twenty hours in water in which tobacco-stalks have been in- 

 fused : the bugs are then to be rubbed off with a sponge, and 

 the plants, after being washed in clear water and dripped, are 

 then to be repotted." 



M*Phail recommends the application of a strong and power- 

 ful moist heat, founded upon the fact, which has been experi- 

 mentally proved, that a high and moist temperature is speedily 

 fatal to animals, while it does not injure vegetable life ; thus a 

 moist and high temperature appears also congenial to the growth 

 of pines, and while it is kept up, no insects will attack them. 



Nicol recommends the following preparation for cleaning 

 such pines as are attacked with bugs ; at the same time, he 



