RED SPIDER. 



53 



growth, the syringe may be used with perfect safety, as 

 there is no fruit to injure. Steaming, and an atmosphere 

 highly charged with moisture, have also been recom- 

 mended ; but, independently of the bad effects of such 

 a climate on the vine itself, I do not believe moisture 

 checks the progress of red spider, for I have seen it 

 thrive perfectly on plants standing all summer in an 

 aquatic tank, in a steaming atmosphere. Sulphur is 

 a real specific for the pest, where it can be effectually 

 applied from the surface of hot pipes. Injury to the 

 fruit may be apprehended from sulphur put on the flow- 

 pipes if they are made very hot. The constant evapo- 

 ration of water, with guano stirred into it, from saucers 

 or troughs placed on the hot pipes, has been found to 

 act as a preventive against the attacks of red spider, and 

 at the same time to conduce to the health of any class 

 of plants, whether grown for fruit or flower. It charges 

 the atmosphere of the house with ammonia to the 

 extent of making it something like that of a dung-frame, 

 in which it is well know^n that insects do not thrive, and 

 all plants requiring heat do. Other sources of procur- 

 ing a supply of ammonia will suggest themselves to the 

 reader. The atmosphere of the house should, however, 

 never be charged with it to the extent of affecting the 

 eyes of a person, as that of an ill-kept stable does in 

 hot weather, for fear of injury to the plants as Avell as 

 to insects. Lengthened experience has satisfied me 

 that red spider is much more troublesome where the soil 

 is light and porous, and the rainfall small, than where 

 the soil is strong loam and the climate moist ; and as 

 a preventive wherever the former conditions exist, I 

 advise that the borders outside be mulched during sum- 

 mer with 6 inches in depth of manure, and if the sum- 

 mer is anything like that of 1868, give it several good 



