Insects, and How to Kill Them. 
The previous anxieties of the gardener are but light compared to the deadly 
warfare he is now forced to wage against the tiny insects which not only infest iiis 
house-plants, but the soil in which they grow and bloom. 
The red spider is the most minute, yet the most dangerous foe wherewith we have 
to deal. Hot and close parlors and sitting-rooms, are its delight, and it weaves 
its tiny webs about the casements waiting until the plants are ready to feed it. 
He is a treacherous invidious enemy seeming to lie in the window frames quiet 
and warm, but ready to seize upon our rarest Roses, most valiial)le Fuchsias and 
Carnations, as soon as they are placed in their winter quarters. 
It is the tiniest of red mites ; tlie merest grain as it lies in repose under tlie 
leaves of the plant it has chosen for its dwelling, but when the leaf is closely e.v- 
amined, it rushes wildly about, apparently knowing that it is doomed, and its 
minutes are numbered 
Though the.se pests are so minute, one can easily discover their presence ; for 
the upper sides of the leaves grow brown and sire, and the plant loses its healthy 
appearance. 
A thorough sprinkling and washing may drive away the intruders, but if the 
heated and close atmosphere is still continued, plenty more will be generated. 
Red pepperhas been found decidedly obnoxious to it. It should be dusted upon 
with a pepper castor, holding the plant bottom side upwards, while another per- 
son dusts on the pepper. Ofcour.se you must take care not to let it fall in any 
quantity upon the soil of the pot, lest it .should injure the roots. 
A decoction of quassia will also act fatally upon insect life, if used in the 
following proportions : 
Boil one ounce of quassia wood in three pints of water until but a quart re- 
mains ; when luke warm, either dip in the infested plants, or sponge offeach leaf 
with a sponge or brush. Let them stnnd fifteen minutes or so, then dip the 
plants or wash them off with clear water, as the decoction of quassia, if allowed 
to remain on the leaves, will injure them. 
Tobacco smoke is also a good preventive to some insects, but tliis red spider 
does not seem to heed it. 
The aphis or green fly, does not affect a Hking for tobacco, for it intoxicates 
it, and causes it to fall from the leaves and branches of all plants. Hold a 
lighted cigar under the leaves of your Roses, etc., not so near as to curl them 
