JUNE 253 



crop of blossom in autumn. Novelties purchased now in 

 pots, and planted out in good soil, give nice buds in 

 August with which to bud dwarf stocks. 



A very troublesome pest now is the cuckoo spit, and 

 it seems hard to dislodge. Nicotine wash may be used, 

 but hand-picking is best. 



Caterpillars are now less active, but watch should 

 be kept for the grub of one of the saw flies that eats its 

 way down the central pith of standard Briers or the 

 top of a nice promising growth. To prevent its ravages 

 on the Briers, they should be painted with painter's 

 knotting or liquid grafting wax. 



Thrips are often troublesome in dry weather, especi- 

 ally on wall roses. They are usually found upon the 

 under side of the foliage and, if not checked, soon destroy 

 the tissues of the leaves. Spray with nicotine wash. 



Orange rust or red rust on the stems of roses may be 

 checked by painting with methylated spirit diluted 

 with an equal part of water. 



All maiden plants should be tied to sticks now as 

 a protection against rough wind, otherwise a promising 

 growth may be blown quite out of the stock. If the 

 weather is dry the buds of Tea roses intended for show 

 should be wrapped in tissue paper, leaving the top open, 

 and shades should be in readiness to protect them in wet 

 weather. Show boxes must be cleaned and prepared, 

 and a supply of tubes and wires kept ready for the early 

 shows. 



Standard stocks should be " set out " during the 

 latter part of May. The " setting out " consists in re- 



