they are all the better for their difficulties, and their gardens
also. Such skill and energy are developed that not only are the
horticultural enemies vanquished, but they are often made the means of
a richer and a fuller success.

In a valuable paper read before the New Jersey State Horticultural
Society, and recently published in the "American Entomologist," Mr. A.
S. Fuller makes the following useful suggestions:

"Insects and diseases are frequently so closely united, or so
dependent upon each other, that the naturalist often finds it
difficult to determine to which the fruit grower should attribute his
losses. Some species of insects attack only diseased or dead plants;
others only the living and healthy. If a plant shows signs of failing,
we are inclined to speak of it as being diseased, whether the failure
is caused by a lack of some element in the soil, attacks of parasitic
fungi, or noxious insects. The loss is the same in the end, whether
from one or all of these enemies combined.

"There are two practical methods of combating insect enemies and
diseases of plants; one is to so carefully cultivate and stimulate the
growth of the plants that they may possess the power of resisting
attack; the other is to make war directly upon them by artificial
means. Of course, the first method is most applicable or practicable
against the more minute species, such as the plant-lice, rust, smut,
and mildew. I do not recommend forcing plants to extremes, in order to
enable them to resist their enemies, as this might work an irreparable
injury; but the condition to be aimed at should be a healthy, vigorous
growth; for anything beyond this is more the sign of weakness than
strength.