CHAPTER XXIX 



DISEASES AND INSECT PESTS 



Unfortunately, the Queen of Flowers is liable to be 

 attacked by many different pests. A brief perusal of 

 the best authorities on the subject shows that the num- 

 ber of insects and fungi actually recorded as infesting 

 or doing damage to rose bushes in gardens or hothouses 

 reaches the enormous total of over two hundred. Of 

 course, this does not signify that in one particular garden, 

 or even in a single district, there may be found anything 

 like that number, but it shows that throughout the 

 whole country, at one time or another, these pests have 

 actually been found attacking the rose. A few gar- 

 deners have never had any serious trouble with their 

 bushes, but most reports make it apparent that greater 

 or less damage is constantly being done by these 

 numerous enemies. In this chapter the most common 

 pest are dealt with, notes on their identification given, 

 and the best means of eradication carefully considered. 



FUNGOID DISEASES 



Fungi are vegetable growths of the very lowest 

 orders ; they do not have the green colouring matter 

 of the higher plants, so they cannot manufacture their 

 own food supplies. The nutrition necessary to growth 



