70 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST. 



devil himself, the big blaggard that has been 

 doin' us all the mischief, the Reed Sphider^ 

 and opening his hat a villainous Tarantula- 

 looking fellow ran out, bigger than a thous- 

 and spiders, which was quickly despatched 

 by John's brogan. From that time John 

 learned to know what the red spider was, 

 but was never anxious to allude to it after- 

 wards." Get to know this insect, if he has 

 not introduced himself already ; he is pas- 



FiG. 1741. Tea Rose in a State oe Rest : 



Pruned and Repotted for Spring 



Flowering. 



sionately fond of many other plants besides 

 roses, and may do you a lot of damage some 

 day unless you know how to checkmate him. 

 Mildew, as it attacks roses, appears like a 

 fine white powder at the first ; it is a fungous 

 growth and unless checked will do irrepar- 

 able damage ; vigorous, healthy growth will 

 do as much towards warding off this trouble, 

 as it will insect pests, but there are times in 

 dull winter weather or during a damp cloudy 



spell when mildew will make its appearance, 

 even in places where roses are grown as a 

 specialty. In greenhouses it can at most 

 times be prevented by applying sulphur to 

 the heating pipes, mix it with water to 

 the consistency of paste and apply with a 

 brush when the pipes are hot; rather apply 

 it often and in small quantities, too much 

 will injure the young growth. Several of 

 the insecticides offered contain some form of 

 sulphur and will keep the plants free from 

 mildew. It is our preference to use a remedy 

 for each enemy, knowing just what it is ap- 

 plied for, rather than to use a doubtful " cure 

 for all ;" 2 ozs. of Sulphuret of Potassium 

 dissolved in 4 ozs. of water and used as a 

 spray is useful when the fire is not going. 

 The green aphis, or plant louse, as it is 

 sometimes termed, is the third principal 

 enemy of him who would grow roses during 

 winter. Fumigating the conservatory by 

 burning some moistened tobacco stems is the 

 usual remedy, the smoke will temporarily 

 deprive the flowers of their perfume though. 

 The use of a tobacco extract, such as Nicko- 

 teen., will not effect the perfume. These ex- 

 tracts are diluted with water and after the 

 solution is put into a metal vessel a hot iron 

 is dropped in to evaporate it. For the win- 

 dow that possesses but three or four rose 

 plants the following is simple and effectual : 

 Cover each plant with a paper cone and give 

 the smoking member of the family a cigar, 

 of course he will consider it no hardship to 

 blow a few whiffs into each cone ; this will 

 quickly rid the plants of green fly. 



There are ways of preventing those rose 

 troubles without insecticides —not that rose 

 pests can possibly be entirely prevented 

 without them, but the fact is that if you start 

 with vigorous, healthy, plump-wooded 

 plants and maintain proper temperature and 

 atmospheric moisture your troubles will be 

 minimized. As a man, full of vitality and 

 strength, will escape many of the thousand 

 natural shocks that flesh is heir to, so healthy 



