the
power of subduing it, but in the execution of the work, care is always
to be taken that every part of the leaves be wetted, otherwise the
insects shelter and save themselves in the dry parts, and are preserved
from the effects of the water. Moisture conveyed in some way or other is
certainly found to be the most destructive, of any thing yet discovered,
of these pernicious insects, as well as many others that infest
hot-houses. Throwing weak lime-water in a plentiful manner on the under
sides of the leaves, where these insects are commonly found, will, for
the most part, soon destroy them. The following directions have been
given for the destruction of this sort of spider, when it becomes
injurious to melon plants; and the same may probably be found useful for
those of the forced French bean, and some other similar kinds. In cases
of dry weather, and with a dry heat, melon plants are very subject to be
infested with the red spider; and the appearances of it may constantly
be long noticed before the insects can be seen with the naked eye, by
the leaves beginning to curl and crack in their middle parts. Whenever
they are discovered to be in this state or condition, and there is fine
warm sunny weather, the watering of them all over the leaves, both on
the under and upper sides, is advised; a watering-pot, with a rose
finely perforated with holes, or a garden-engine, which disperses the
water in a fine dew-like manner, being employed for the purpose. The
work should be performed about six o'clock in the morning, and the
plants be shaded with mats about eight, if the sun shine with much
power, shutting the frames down closely until about eleven; and then
admitting a small quantity of fresh air, letting the mats remain until
about three in the afternoon, when they should be wholly taken away. The
shade which is thus afforded by the mats prevents the leaves of the
plants from being scorched or otherwise injured by the action of the
heat of the sun while they are in a wet cooled down state. Where a
southerly breeze prevails, watering them again about three in the
afternoon is recommended, shutting them up close as before, to keep the
heat in, which causes a strong exhalation of the moisture, and is
greatly destructive of the spiders. In all these waterings, the water is
to be thrown as much and as finely as possible on the under sides of the
leaves, where the insects mostly lodge; the vines or stems of the plants
being gent