1848. To Destroy Black Ants

1848.    To Destroy Black Ants. Boil 4 ounces quassia chips in 1 gallon water, for 10 minutes, and add 4 ounces soft soap. ■ This is excellent to destroy black ants. Or: Sprinkle pulverized borax over the plants or places infested by these vermin. (See No. 1909 (To Disperse Black Ants).)

1849. To Prevent Mildew on Trees

1849.    To Prevent Mildew on Trees. The best preventive against mildew is to keep the plant subject to it occasionally syringed with a decoction of elder leaves, which will prevent the fungus growing on them.

1850. To Remove Mildew from Roses, Pelargoniums, Etc

1850.   To Remove Mildew from Roses, Pelargoniums, Etc. Mildew has been successfully removed from roses and pelargoniums, by dissolving 1 ounce nitre to 1 gallon water, and watering the plants with it occasionally ; another way is to wash the diseased parts with a decoction of elder leaves. But the most effectual remedy is flowers of sulphur dusted over the foliage, by means of a dredging-box with very fine holes.

1851. To Remove Green Fly

1851.    To Remove Green Fly. Choose a still evening, and let the plants be quite dry. Arrange them together in a close place; put into an iron pan, or a flower-pot, a few red-hot cinders that do not smoke, upon which lay the tobacco or tobacco-paper; a cloud of smoke will soon arise. "When the frame is well filled with smoke, remove the pan, and be exceedingly careful that the tobacco does not break out into a flame.

1852. To Fumigate Plants with Tobacco Smoke

1852.    To Fumigate Plants with Tobacco Smoke. There are various modes of employing the smoke of tobacco for the destruction of insect pests in plant houses, but the best is as follows: - According to the size of the place to be fumigated provide one or more pieces of cast-iron 1 inch thick and 3 inches of surface. Make these red-hot and place each in a large-sized pot; and on them as much tobacco as may be considered necessary to completely fill the house with smoke. An ordinary eight-light house will require 3 heaters, and 1 pound of tobacco, divided into 3 equal parts. If the tobacco is previously soaked in a strong solution of saltpetre, its ignition is more rapid and complete, and a less quantity suffices.

1853. To Drive Worms out of Pots

1853.    To Drive Worms out of Pots. Securely cork up all the drainage holes in the pot, and then flood it for several hours with clear lime-water.

1854. To Destroy Green Fly

1854.    To Destroy Green Fly. Syringe the plants with tobacco water. One part ammoniacal liquor from the gas-works, mixed with 5 or more parts of water, according to its strength, will also destroy the insects.

1855. Wash to Prevent Cattle from Barking Trees

1855.    Wash to Prevent Cattle from Barking Trees. Take 2/3 cow-dung and 1/3 lime; mix with a little water, to the consistency of thick lime-wash, and lay this on the stems of the trees as far as the cattle can reach.