MISCELLANEOUS PAPEKS. 423 



should liave the old wood cut clean away, making room for the young and vig- 

 orous shoots. At time of planting prune rather closely, leaving two or three 

 buds on the strongest shoots, and cutting away all weak ones. Every year a 

 liberal quantity of manure should be packed in around the roots, and during 

 summer applications of liquid manure will be found to be beneficial. Judicious 

 pruning reduces the rampant growth and increases the energy of those of more 

 delicate constitution, relieving from superfluous shoots and useless wood, and 

 reducing the whole contour to a sturdy and compact form. 



The propagation of the rose in this country is usually by cuttings, either of 

 young or ripened wood. By the former method cuttings may be inserted at 

 anytime; by the latter the operation may be performed between October and 

 January, Layering may also be practiced with good results during the month 

 of August. The shoots should be strong, and the leaves give no evidence of 

 dropping. The cut should be made on the upper side, and not on the under, 

 as is recommended in the books. Bind down tlie shoots, and cover with rich 

 soil. Tender roses require protection in winter, either by potting the plants 

 and placing them in cold pits, or the tops may be packed with dry leaves, cov- 

 ering all with a box, so as to keep the leaves dry and prevent their blowing 

 away. 



This latter method is of course only practical where a few roses are kept and 

 it is desired to have handsome specimens. Roses protected in this manner have 

 a great advantage over those taken up every fall and replanted in spring, in 

 that the roots being undisturbed, a free, unchecked, and natural growth is at 

 once assured. As many people are now building cheap glass structures in 

 which to grow exotic grapes, they afford an excellent place in which to winter 

 tender roses. Nothing tends more to exhaust the vitality of the rose than 

 allowing the seed to mature ; consequently the seed vessels should bo pinched 

 off ; it not only promotes the growth, but increases the season of bloom. 



The most troublesome insect in the rose garden is the Rose Slug (Selandria 

 llosm), of which there are two varieties. — one of which is destructive to the 

 lower side of the leaf, the other eats it entire. Another enemy is the Rose Bug 

 ( Macrodaciylis Subspinosus), so named because of its preference for the blos- 

 soms of the rose. It is, however, very destructive to some other plants. The 

 best antidote to all insect life is preventive. White hellebore, either in powder 

 or solution, is death to these insects. It is best applied by dissolving one table 

 spoonf ull of hellebore in two gallons of boiling water ; apply when cool. One 

 or two applications will be sufficient for the season. 



In purchasing plants avoid such as have been coddled by being raised and 

 grown in a strong heat while young. Such plants have the germs of disease 

 and early death sown in them by the forcing process, and if they live, remain 

 stationary a long time, seldom giving satisfaction. 



James Cassidy. 



