The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1900-07-26

is on the under side Of the leaves, where
it multiplies by the hundred.
Tobacco in some form is the best in
secticide for exterminating the greenfly.
The most universal and: most effectaal
form of application is by fumigation.
For this purpose procure tobacco stems
OF dust, which, after being slightly
dampened' to produce a heavy smoke,
should be burned on q pan and the
smoke allowed to thoroughly permeate
the air about the plant. This treatment
should be practiced about once week.
It the plants are so placed as to render
fumigation impractical or inoonvenient,
dampen the foliage slightly all over and
dust it thoroughly with fine tobacco
dust.
Another method is to syringe the foli-
age of the plants with solution of to-
bacco water, made by soaking or steep
ing tobacco stems in water This solu-
ton, unless quite weak, should be used
with caution and the foliage thoroughly
sprayed, after short time, to remove
the tobacco water entirely When pos
sible, it is better to fumigate, as it is
safer and surer in its results than either
of the other methods.
Red Spider-In this exceedingly
minute insect we have a most vigorous
foe to house plants, especially those
which are quite tender. Like the green
fly, 1t infests the under sides of the
leaves, and is usually only discovered
when the leaves assume a yellowish
white, blotched and sickly appearance.
BY the aid of a magnifying glass count
less numbers of the little ravagers may
be detected.
AS the red spider only makes it's ap-
pearance on plants kept in a hot, dry,
parching atmosphere, its determination
1t most easily effected Provide by
means of evaporation, more moisture to
the air. and sponge. spray or syring the
foliage Of the plants daily. Water is
death to the red spider, and is therefore
the most easily dealt with of the four
insects mentioned.
Mealey- Bug-Perhaps of the four in
sects comprising the quartet this one
does the least harm, yet, in time, and if
allowed to become very numerous, It's
work will show on the health of the
plant. The mealybug Is a small, oval
shaped, creamy white insect, varying
from thirty-second to an eighth of an
inch in length. 1t is easily noticed, and
with it's eggs and webs deposited usual
ly at the junction of the leaf-stem and
the plant-stalk, gives the plant an I'M
slightly appearance.
The insecticide generally used for the
mealy-bug is what is known as kerosene
emulsion, but as the mealy-bug general
ly infests soft-wooded plants, and If
this emulsion is made sufficiently strong
to do effectual work, there is some dan
ger of greatly injuring the plant itself.
I would therefore recommend that in
place of using such cure the plants be
taken in hand one at time and all the
mealy-bugs removed by means of a soft
but moderately stiff brush The masses
Of eggs should be brushed off also. 1t
Is wise to brush the insects and egXs
into box or paper and destroy them,
lest they find their way back to the
plant again.
Scale Insects-Last, but far from least,
g % 10 ~ h lob
Is the terror of the orange and lemon
grower; another commands the attention
of the palm culturist, while other kinds
silently get in their work on ferns and
large number of other plants. There
are many distinct species of this exceed
ingly destructive insect, varying con-
siderably In size, shape and color. The
majority Of them are of a dark brown
color, with smooth glossy backs, not
unlike miniature turtles It is wise to
examine frequently palms, oranges or
lemons, ferns, etc., such plants as are
particularly subject to scale, to see if
they are affected.
When scale is found go over each plant
carefully, and with sharp stick or the
back of a knife-blade scrape off all that
may be seen. When all that can be de-
tected have been removed, wash the
plants with weak soap-suds. After a
few moments syringe or spray the plants
thoroughly, to remove the soapy water
If the plant is very badly affected it is
better to destroy it entirely than to ex-
pose clean plants.