Diseases

There are but two plant diseases likely to attack plants in the house:

fungus and mildew. The first seems to be a sort of decomposition of the

leaf, leaving a black, powdery residue. It is combated by spraying with

bordeaux. Bordeaux can now be had in paste or powder form, which for

small quantities is much better than to try to mix it yourself.



Mildew causes the tenderest leaves to curl up and some of them seem to

be covered with a white powder. Flowers of sulphur, dusted over the

plants while the foliage is damp, is the standard remedy.



For the sake of ready reference, the foregoing is condensed in the

following simple table of plant insects and diseases.



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INSECT CONDITIONS

OR SUPPORTING REMEDIES

DISEASE GROWTH

-------------------+----------------------+----------------------------

Aphis, green and Shade; poor Aphine; tobacco-dust

black ventilation; or tea; kerosene

thick foliage emulsion; hot

water bath; insect

powder.



Aphis, blue Stunted growth; Whale-oil soap

lack of water solution; repotting;

tobacco tea applied to

roots.



Thrips, 1/4 inch, Shaded places; Kerosene emulsion;

long, brown or crowded plants Paris green--1

black; they eat. teaspoon to 12 quarts

Mealy bugs } water.

Other scale } Corners; close, Brush off; coal-oil;

insects } dry air kerosene emulsion;

hot water.



Red spider Hot, dry Moisture, sulphur,

atmosphere hot water.



Rose-beetle Hand picking; wood

ashes.



White flies Dry foliage Kerosene emulsion.

(Aleyrodes)





Slugs Dark corners; Air-slaked lime.

dampness; sweetened bran and

decaying wood Paris green.



Ants Insect powder;

molasses traps.



Angleworms Dampness; heavy Lime; lime-water;

soil tobacco tea, and

tobacco dust washed

into soil.





White grub Manure not old

enough. Destroy.



Fungous leaf spot Shocks; checks Bordeaux; Fungine.



Mildew Checks Flowers of sulphur;

Fungine.

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To make the kerosene emulsion, use 2 ounces of soap (whale-oil is much

better than the common), 1 quart of boiling water (over brisk fire), 2

quarts of kerosene oil. Dissolve the soap in boiling water, remove from

fire, and add oil. Churn or beat until of the consistency of cream. If

correctly mixed, the emulsion, on cooling, will adhere without oiliness

to glass. Use rain water, if possible; if not, add a little baking soda

to the water.



For scale insects, dilute with 10 parts of water; for aphis and soft

insects, with 15 or 20 parts water. In using kerosene emulsion, apply in

fine spray. Remember it must come in contact with the insect to be

effective.