Fumigating
The process of destroying insects, principally Thrips and various Aphides, by means of tobacco smoke. Tobacco itself is seldom used for the operation, being too expensive. The various preparations supplied by nurserymen, or other firms of repute, as Fumigating mixture, answer the same purpose nost effecually. They are manufactured by soaking brown paper, pieces of rag, &c., in a strong solution of tobacco juice, and afterwards drying them for use. Only that which is known to be of good quality should be used, as valuable plants may be either injured or destroyed by the effects of smoke from material prepared from a solution containing, injurious ingredients. A dull, still evening is best for Fumigating in any house or frame, as the smoke does not then escape so quickly. The leaves of the plants, if possible,be dry at the time. The amount of smoke that may be allowed with safety, must depend on the hardiness of the subjects to withstand it. As a rule,it is always safer to moderately fill the structure on one evening, adn again in the following morning,or on two successive evenings, than to run the risk of applying too much at once, with the intention of not repeating the operation. Fumigating may be practised with advantage, mor as a preventative to the increase of insects, especially in spring. Care should be taken never to allow sunshine on a house with smoke inside, or tender plants are certain to be scoreched. If still, rainy weather be selected, this is always avoided. Fumigators are manufactured of various descriptions, but are not much used in large establishments, an open iron vessel, having a cross handle and a grating at the bottom, or some other means means of a similar kind, being employed with equally good results. Most of the preparations of tobacco paper now sold burn without the use of bellows; consequently, the operator need not remain inside the house if the vessel containing the fire is placed near the door and carefully watched fromthe outside. The most important point is not to allow the material to flame. Some Fumigators have a perforated lid to prevent this. A layer of damp moss may also be used for a similar purpose where there is danger if ignition.