In the fall of 1883, I procured a set of about two dozen new Chrysanthemums. They were soon covered with a small, almost black aphis or plant louse that I had never seen before. My man smoked the house with little benefit; only reducing the number, but not exterminating the race. Three days later he thought he would give them a " big smoke," that would "lay out" the black pests. So, unknown to me, he used about three times as much tobacco as usual, and when I examined the house next morning, I found that most of the insects had been killed, and besides, my bed of smilax that filled one side of the house was ruined. It was growing rapidly, was soft, and easily injured.

My next trouble was soon developed, when I found the dark aphis had escaped into a long bench of single violets. Then they must be put down and kept down, or I should have no flowers. Had tried tobacco and failed; did not like to resort to petroleum lest my plants should be killed. Next we resorted to hot water. Had it drawn from the boiler, and after adjusting the temperature to 1300, we thoroughly covered the violets with it, using the syringe. Watered them in the same manner, all the plants needed, for two or three weeks. The result was, the insects were killed, the plants started into healthy growth, and flowered finely.

This experience of a novice has several lessons : 1st. Growing plants will not bear much smoke. 2d. Water at 1300 will kill small insect enemies. 3d. Hot water applied to the roots of growing plants is beneficial in cold winter weather.

Washington Heights, Hi.