250 THE ROSE BOOK 



and as soon as leaves are found stuck together or rolled 

 up give them a squeeze and so destroy the grub within. 

 It is well either to remove the leaves or unroll them, 

 otherwise one may squeeze the same leaves repeatedly. 

 It often happens that a caterpillar appears in the after- 

 noon on a shoot you were certain you examined in the 

 morning ; if the grubs are not diligently searched for 

 many a promising bud will be sacrificed. 



Aphides can be partially dislodged by a vigorous 

 syringeing with plain water, but they increase so rapidly 

 that if a few are left on the shoot the latter will soon be 

 covered again. A solution of soft soap and quassia is 

 an excellent remedy, and there are many good insecti- 

 cides on the market. 



If the shoots can be immersed in the insecticide, this 

 is preferable to spraying, and for this purpose a basin 

 of the liquid held beneath the shoot provides a simple 

 and effectual means of immersion. Mildew is a fungoid 

 disease that sadly mars the beauty of some roses. Steps 

 should be taken to check its spread by timely dustings 

 with green sulphur. 



Tea roses for exhibition now require thinning, and one 

 must harden one's heart to do this thoroughly. It is 

 said that no man should hoe his own turnips. Certainly 

 it requires some courage to rub off nice, fresh shoots in 

 order that others may be strengthened, but it is neces- 

 sary to concentrate the energies of the plant upon a few 

 buds if show blooms are desired. 



Growths that are too close together may be tied out 

 to small sticks. The points of extra vigorous growths 



