amateur is advised to practice small shifts until some experience has been acquired, for if a plant does not quickly fill its pot with roots, it is apt to grow smaller instead of larger. Reasons could be given for all these directions, but we have enough to do with work in this little volume, and if we be in to philosophise, we may not only waste time and space, but be tempted to forget work and indulge in essay writing.
The Insects and Diseases that injure and not unfrequently destroy plants may be kept at bay to a wonderful extent by good cultivation. As a rule, the appearance of green fly, red spider, scale, or mildew, is an evidence of debility in the plant—it may be through too much or too little food; it may be through too much or too little heat; it may be through downright neglect of the most ordinary rules of cultivation. The best remedial agents are air, water, and light; but in aid of these we are compelled occasionally to employ tobacco, soap, sulphur, lime, charcoal, soot, and patent preparations made of no one knows what. A slight dusting with tobacco powder will generally make an end of green fly or aphis without harm to the leaves dusted, but when all the plants in a house are covered it will be well to fumigate, and any machine will answer the purpose that will quickly diffuse an impenetrable cloud of cool smoke, the fuel being the strongest shag tobacco. The little mite called “red spider” usually appears where the stock is kept too hot and too dry; hence atmospheric moisture and a good watering of the roots of the plants will generally dispose of him to the satisfaction and advantage of the amateur; but if a medical agent is wanted provide some means of slowly diffusing the fumes of sulphur and you will settle him certainly. But beware, for if you diffuse sulphur fumes rapidly, whether by the aid of burning coals or otherwise, you will probably kill all the plants in the house. The safe way, if the fire is going, is to paint the pipes with a mixture of clay and sulphur, and if the fire is not going it is best to fumigate. Before fumigating the plants should be quite dry and the house closely shut. Make so much smoke that you can see nothing and thus leave the matter until the following morning, when the whole stock should be well syringed with soft water, and an hour afterwards air should be given. Slight dustings of flowers of sulphur will usually destroy the mildew.
