148 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
such as the erica. The amateur is advised to practise small shifts 
until some experience has been acquired, for if a plant does not 
quickly fill its pot with roots, it is apt to grow smaller instead of 
larger. Seasons could be given for all these directions, but if we 
begin to philosophize, we may not only waste time and space, but be 
tempted to indulge in essay writing. 
The Insects and Diseases that injure, and not unfrequently 
destroy plants, may be kept at bay to a wonderful extent by good 
cultivation. As a rule, the appearance of green-fiy, red spider, scale, 
or mildew, is an evidence of debility in the plant — it may be through 
too much or too little food ; it may be through too much or too 
little heat ; it may be though downright neglect of the most ordinary 
rules of cultivation. The best remedial agents are air, water, and 
light ; but in aid of these we are compelled occasionally to em- 
ploy tobacco, soap, sulphur, lime, charcoal, soot, and patent pre- 
parations, made of no one knows what. A slight dusting with 
tobacco-powder will generally make an end of green-fly, or aphis, 
withont harm to the leaves dusted; but when all the plants in a 
house are covered, it will be well to fumigate, and any machine will 
answer the purpose that will quickly dift’use an impenetrable cloud 
of cool smoke, the fuel being the strongest shag tobacco. The little 
mite called “red spider ” usually appears where the stock is kept 
too hot and too dry. Hence atmospheric moisture and a good 
watering of the roots of the plants will generally dispose of him to 
the satisfaction and advantage of the atmosphere. But if a medical 
agent is wanted, provide some means of slowly diffusing the fumes 
of sulphur, and you will settle him certainly. But beware ; for if 
you diffuse sulphur flames rapidly, whether by the aid of burning 
coals or otherwise, yon will probably kill all the plants in the house. 
The safe way, if the fire is going, is to paint the pipes with a mix- 
ture of clay and sulphnr, and if the fire is not going, it is best to 
fumigate. Before fumigating, the plants should be quite dry, and 
the house closely shut. Make so much smoke that you can see 
nothing, and thus leave the matter until the following morning, 
when the whole stock should be well syringed with soft water, and 
an hour afterwards air should be given. Slight dustings of flowers of 
sulphur will usually destroy the mildew. How for an experiment 
which will teach you more than a library of books on the subject of 
vermin. In the month of April get a lot of old plants of Solanum 
capsicastrum or S. pseudo-capsicum, and shut them up close in a 
warm sunny house, and for three weeks starve them within an inch 
of their lives — they must have a little water or they will die and 
spoil the experiment. If carefully starved and heartily humbugged, 
they will in the course of three weeks become horribly infested 
with green-fly. On the first mild dull day in the month of May 
plant them out in a rich mellow soil in a sunny spot, give them a 
good watering, and forget them. Some time in June look at them 
and you will be surprised and delighted, for they will be making a 
free, healthy growth, and there will not be left a fly on them. If 
you perceive the philosophy of the case you will not need much 
instruction on the subject of greenhouse vermin. S. H. 
