188 
Gardeners and Florists’ Annual for J9J5 
until it begins to steam. Keep the material turned to prevent it from 
“burning” or drying-out. It may require to be well wetted. Leaves 
from the woods are sometimes incorporated as these tend to equalize 
the heat and make it more lasting. A hotbed should have from 20in. 
to 2ft. of this manure, firmly packed or trodden, and extending a foot 
beyond the frame on all sides. 
Insect Pests, Destructive. — On this and the succeeding, as well 
as other, pages of this Annual, notes and illustrations of those insects 
that are notably injurious to florist, nursery, and garden crops, are 
given. It would be hard to say which of these occasioned the greatest 
losses: they are all bad pests. 
Insecticides. — As an “insecticide,” or means for getting rid of 
aphis, rose bug and mealy bug on plants, hot water, used forcibly 
through a syringe or hose in the form of a fine spray at a temperature 
of 125 deg. Fahr., is certainly excellent. Hydrocyanic acid 
gas is also largely employed, and how to use this is explained 
in a preceding paragraph. Other insecticides can be made 
as follows: Quassia and Soap Wash. Formula. — Quassia chips, 
1 lb.; soft soap, % lb.; water, 10 gallons. -Preparation. — Boil the 
quassia chips in water for a couple of hours, then dissolve the soap in 
warm water, if possible, and mix the strained-off quassia extra with 
the soap. Another method of preparation consists of boiling the 
quassia with half the soap and half the water; strain off the liquid, and 
boil the residue for one hour with the rest of the soap and water; 
mix the two decoctions, and make up to 10 gallons of water. Uses. — 
For the destruction of all 
aphides and biting insects, and 
as a Summer wash. Time of 
Application. — As soon as the 
aphides hatch from their eggs or 
appear on the plants, if mi- 
grants. Absenate of Lead 
(Poison). Dissolve the paste, 
according to directions, and stir 
weU, and then add 1 lb. of 
treacle. This insecticide may be 
obtained as a paste, which is 
the most convenient form in 
which to use .it. Uses. — It de- 
stroys all biting insects, such as 
caterpillars and beetles; espe- 
cially beneficial against Codlin 
moth, brown-taQ moth, gypsy 
moth, cut worms, tussock moth, 
slug-worm, etc. This wash may 
be mixed with Bordeaux mixture 
or paraffin. Time of applica- 
tion. — The first spraying should 
tfke place as soon as the buds 
use of arsenicals are recommeded show signs of bursting, and 
Small White Cabbage Butterfly 
with larvae and chrysalis 
