THE ROSE. 61 



glass, and may be partially avoided by shutting down the fires as soon 

 as the sun appears, raising the ventilation part of an inch and also 

 gradually raising the temperature of the house. 



The beds must be frequently examined during the cold weather. They 

 might appear moist on top while heat from the pipes has dried them 

 from below; always water so that the moisture penetrates to the bottom 

 and then let alone until a good watering is needed again. Of course 

 there are always places which need a little extra water between times, 

 but the grower will soon find those places. 



Most growers give a light mulch of manure about the first of October 

 or earlier, and then no more until the middle of February or March. 

 Artificial fertilizers, such as bone meal, blood, wood ashes or lime, are 

 used during the winter months; a light watering with manure water, 

 beginning in January and using every two or three weeks, is a great 

 stimulant. Artificial fertilizers should be used with great caution, par- 

 ticularly by beginners; it is easily overdone; use a little at a time, and 

 so ascertain the amount most beneficial. From middle of March on 

 manure and manure water or any quick-acting fertilizer can be used 

 more freely without injury. 



Much more could be said of every operation in the culture of roses, 

 but it would take too much time to enter into every detail. 



DISEASES OF KOSES. 



Among the many diseases the rose is subject to, the most common 

 and best known are mildew and blackspot, both being a fungus disease. 

 Sickly, poorly ventilated or over-fed plants are the first attacked. The 

 disease is produced by sudden changes of the temperature, draughts 

 of air, too much atmospheric moisture and numerous other causes, 

 mostly due to poor ventilation or heating. 



To prevent them means to overcome all these defects, which is pos- 

 sible but not so easily done. Mildew, to which our Teas are most sus- 

 ceptible, is the easiest to combat. Sulphur on the pipes or dust it on 

 the foliage is the best remedy. The American Beauty is the most 

 susceptible to blackspot. As a remedy carbonate of copper is recom- 

 mended; air-slaked lime and sulphur are also used, but it is best to 

 pick off all the spotted leaves as soon as they appear and burn them. 

 Keep sulphur on the pipes, give plenty of air, in short, work against 

 the conditions which have brought the disease about. 



The insects which infest the roses and come mostly to our notice 

 are green-fly, red spider, ell-worm, and trips, the two first named being 

 easily kept down, green-flies by proper ventilation, tobacco fumes and 

 the various forms of nicotine. Red spider enjoys' a warm and dry at- 

 mosphere and its presence tells us that we have not made the proper 

 use of the hose. Good, hard syringing on bright days, if only done well 

 once or twice a week is the best preventive and cure. Ell-worm, a pest 

 which infests the roots and means certain destruction to the plants, 

 can be kept in check by the use of lime or lime water. Wherever it 



