Some insects, the com-mon green aphis or plant louse for instance, are so nearly omnipresent that it is scarcely within the range of possibility to do anything more than keep them in check. Others can be exterminated by using the proper means. Perhaps the mealy bug cannot fairly be classed among the later, yet I think in small collections of plants it is entirely practicable to get rid of it. From my observations of its habits, I think it rarely, if ever, stays in the soil in the winter, unless where bottom heat is given, but in summer it works at the roots of the plants as well as at the tops, and is often found in the cracks and corners of pots, etc. The best time, therefore, to exterminate it is in the winter, and all that is necessary is to pick off and crush every one that can be found, say once a week, and then wash the plants thoroughly with strong soap suds. Follow this treatment persistently until none can be found. After this carefully examine the plants once a week, for several weeks, to make sure that no bugs have escaped. These insects are apt to get into the axils of the leaves and it is sometimes difficult to pick them out without breaking the leaves. In such places I use the point of my pocket knife.

If any of the leaves of the infested plants drop they should be carefully picked up and burned or otherwise destroyed, as they often have some of the small insects on them. An old newspaper should be spread underneath the plants while picking off the insects, as some will occasionally be dropped when handling the plants, but by this means they can be easily collected and destroyed. Whenever soil, sand or moss has been used to set the pots on, it should be replaced with new once or twice a year, the old being carefully cleared out.

The black aphis or chrysanthemum fly, which is about the worst pest the grower of these plants has to contend with, can be got rid of in the same way. I think if all the chrysanthemums were wintered out of doors, there would be no trouble with this insect; but a very few, kept over in the greenhouse or cellar, will furnish enough of these pests in the course of the season, to spoil a large lot of plants. This insect requires to be treated in the same manner as the mealy bug, except that as it works wholly above ground, summer is the best time to destroy it, or rather spring. It is especially liable to be shaken from the plants in handling, and after all seem to have disappeared, a straggler may crawl up or get carried up by the ants, and before one is aware of it another colony will be well under way. As everything of this kind increases faster in summer than in winter, twice a week will not be too often to examine and clean the plants.

Another item which applies to both, is, that florists seldom try to do more than "keep down" insects. Perhaps anything beyond this would be impracticable in a commercial establishment, and therefore whenever any new plants are purchased, they should be kept in quarantine long enough to ascertain if they are infested. If tobacco soap is obtainable, it is better for cleansing them than any other. - Wm. F. Bassett, New Jersey.