HOW TO DESTBOY IXSECTS, 



49 



some on some plants, particularly on bouvardias. I 

 have been fighting- them on an ivy geranium for the 

 past two A'ears. They move so unwillingly it is a mys- 

 terv to me how they get from one plant to another. 

 The Mealy-bug March is a very slow march. I wish to 

 put you on your guard against them. I had frequently 

 read of tliem, but did not make their accjuaintance until 

 about three years a^o. At that time I received from a 

 greenhouse two plants of basella rubra, in line condition 

 apparently. Xot suspecting mischief, and l)eing busy, 

 I merely watered the plants when necessary for some 

 little time : l)ut alas I one day, on close examination, I 

 found the stems covered vrith white insects. I find 

 them on the stems of plants, in the axils of the leaves, 

 on the under and sometimes on the upper sides of the 

 leaves. They infest bouvardias, coleus, cissus^ discolor, 

 and one of my ivy geraniums. I cannot smoke them, 

 and I do not like to use tol)acco soap or water, as I 

 think it poisons me, so I persevere in waslung and 

 brushing. The best way to do is to look out for the 

 engine before it comes.'' Sometimes they are not 

 larger than a small pin-head, and sometimes are half as 

 large as a water- bug. Look out for all little white 

 specks on your plants, for they often contain the germ 

 of a troublesome insect. 



If a plant from a greenhouse looks fresh and flourish- 

 ing, do not take it for granted that it is going to be free 

 from insects, but examine it daily, and do not complain 



