2 Remedies for pests Ns 
from the unseen pests. Sow bugs, snails, slugs, and ants should be 
kept from the plants by the use of any number of controls offered 
for sale by any store dealing in plants. Snails have been known to 
ruin an entire Orchid Cactus collection in one evening. Ants enter 
the drain holes of pots and deposit mealy bugs which sometimes do 
enormous damage underground before they are discovered. 
For spine mealies and scale there are some dependable oil sprays 
containing nicotine and other agents. These same sprays will also 
keep your plants free from red spiders, thrips and aphids (‘‘plant 
lice’). Brownish, scab-like discoloration starting at the base of the 
plant may be the result of thrip or red spiders. 
Instead of waiting to meet these insects face to face why not use an 
oil* spray regularly and keep ant, snail, and sow bug bait near your 
plants if they are subjected to these pests ? 
Withering or yellow plants usually indicate that the plant needs a 
richer soil or the roots have rotted off from too much or too little 
moisture. After cleaning the roots of any decayed matter repot in 
fresh soil containing more leaf mold or a little well-rotted fertilizer. 
Water very lightly if at all until new roots have formed. 
For soft rot, usually caused from too much water, root damage, or 
frost, there is little that can be done except to cut the plant well 
a above the rotted section until there is only clean tissue. If you do not 
Lf cut high enough the plant will continue to rot. Dry the cutting, 
th thoroughly one week to a month or more, depending on the weather, 
and then re-root. 
Keep the green moss or algae from gathering on the pots and 
from the soil in the pots. Keep the soil stirred up, repot or apply a 
weak solution of copper sulphate (1 oz. to 10 gallons of water). 
I Scale is easily recognized as flat bodies a little larger than a pin 
cl head; it is usually first discovered at the base of a plant or under- 
y neath in sheltered places and is easily removed as tiny flakes. Regular 
i spraying will kill an infestation unless it is too bad. Do not harbor 
a sick, badly diseased plant or you will be sorry. 
th *Oil spray means one with an oil base. Besides the active ingredients the 
" soap acts as a spreading vehicle and the nicotine is effective on sucking insects. 
