A correspondent complains that Paris Green placed on Chrysanthemums had no effect at all in ridding the plants of the black aphis. Why the complaint is sent to us is not clear, as we have no knowledge that the Gardeners' Monthly ever recommended it. Paris Green or London Purple will kill any insect that can eat it, such as beetles and caterpillars that feed on the leaves of plants, but Aphides do not eat, but suck the juices from the interior, and of course escape the poison. To destroy these we have to give them some treatment, more hypodermic than gastronomical. Oily substances or poisons taken in through their breathing apparatus would be more to the point with them. Fir tree oil or tobacco water will be more effective.

" M." says: Persian insect powder dusted on the plants will kill the black bug or aphis that so often infests chrysanthemums".