74 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
shows that soil grubs and pests generally may be kept in 
check by trenching soils deeply every three or four years, 
periodical liming, and frequent hoeing in summer. Keeping 
weeds in check, too, also helps to reduce the number of 
pests, as the latter frequently lay their eggs on them. 
Earwig (Forficula auricularis). — The earwig is too well 
known to require any detailed description of its form. In 
some seasons it does much mischief to the flowers of Roses, 
Dahlias, etc., nibbling holes in the petals. Where very 
numerous, hollow beanstalks or canes should be placed in 
the bushes or plants at night, and the contents blown out into 
a vessel of hot water ; or inverted flower pots half filled with 
dry grass, moss, or hay placed on stakes near the plants. 
Examine the contents every morning, shaking out any ear- 
wigs into hot water, or on the ground, and crushing them 
under foot. 
Froghoppers or Cuckoo Spit (Aphrophora spumaria). 
This, known also as the Spittle Fly, is a greyish or brownish 
fly which jumps away directly the plant it is on is touched. The 
larva which really does the most harm to plants is a pale 
green or yellowish fat insect, that may often be seen on the 
shoots of plants in summer, ensconced under a frothy covering. 
Under this protec ive covering it pierces the epidermis of the 
shoot with its beak -like proboscis and sucks out the sap. The 
froth is rather slimy, and if an attempt be made to grasp it 
with the finger and thumb, the insect often escapes and runs 
round the opposite side of the shoot. With a little dexterity 
it may be caught and crushed, otherwise syringing the infested 
shoots with a liquid insecticide is the best remedy. The 
perfect insects also pierce the shoots with their beaks and 
abstract the sap. If very numerous hold a treacle-smeared 
tray on one side of the plants, and give the latter a shake to 
make the flies jump on to the tray. 
Fungi. — Many forms of minute fungi, such as mildews and 
rusts, attack flower garden plants and trees. Roses are liable 
to be attacked by Rose mildew (Sphserotheca pannosa), a white 
powdery-like growth which spreads on the surface of leaves and 
shoots, causing them to curl and become diseased. In due 
course this growth bears spores which are carried by the wind 
on to healthy leaves, where in moist weather they germinate 
