. The book of the garden. Gardening. INSECTS INJURIOUS IN THE FL0WER:GAEDEN. 831 them. Besides these there are a number of pai-a- sitic insects which deposit their eggs in the old aphides, and whose young feed upon, and, when fully grown, issue from them, leaving nothing of the body of the aphis but a dry empty skin. The earwig and ant play their part, and a number of soft-billed birds are extremely xise- ful in spring, by devouring the young newly- hatched aphides as they issue from the eggs laid the previous autumn. Amongst birds that are our assistants in this matter, the green and red wood
. The book of the garden. Gardening. INSECTS INJURIOUS IN THE FL0WER:GAEDEN. 831 them. Besides these there are a number of pai-a- sitic insects which deposit their eggs in the old aphides, and whose young feed upon, and, when fully grown, issue from them, leaving nothing of the body of the aphis but a dry empty skin. The earwig and ant play their part, and a number of soft-billed birds are extremely xise- ful in spring, by devouring the young newly- hatched aphides as they issue from the eggs laid the previous autumn. Amongst birds that are our assistants in this matter, the green and red woodpeckers, the nut-hatch, the tree-creeper, the greenfinch, starling, chaffinch, house-sparrow, ox-eye, tomtit, goldfinch, wagtail, redstart, red- breast, may all be considered as insectivorous; and although some of them do take a little fruit, still this loss is as nothing compared to the im- mense service they render us in the suppression of our insect enemies. Destructiim of the aphides is effected in various ways ; but whatever mode is adopted, it will be of little use if not done effectually, and followed up as long as a single aphis is seen on the plants, A decoction of quassia, in the propor- tion of an ounce of the chips to a quart of water, is an excellent remedy, aud where the number of plants infested is not great, the branches may be dipped into it; but when the collection is extensive, a more wholesale mode of proceeding must be adopted; and this can- not be better done than by preparing 2 or 3 gallons at a time, and when cold, applying it to the plants by means of the garden-engine or syringe, wetting both upper and under sides of the foliage, so as to reach the aphides upon whatever part of the leaves or shoots they have taken up their abode. This application should be repeated the following day, when few of the insects will be found alive. For greater security, the whole should be syringed with clear water, applied with force, in a day or two afterwards, for the r
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectgardening, bookyear18
