BIRDS AND GARDENS 219 



rather acrid smell goes off in twenty-four 

 hours ; and of course no one would dream 

 of applying it to Roses in full bloom that are 

 intended for cutting. Not that it does them 

 harm, for it will not injure the tenderest leaves 

 or buds, or stain the hands. 



I have also used it with perfect success for 

 black-fly on pot Chrysanthemums ; and a 

 neighbour last year found it most useful in 

 early Spring for spraying gooseberry and 

 currant bushes when the buds were swelling, 

 as the birds did not touch them afterwards. 1 



Yet really these plagues of Egypt, both 

 creeping and flying, are a sore trial to the 

 poor Rosarian even with the help of Abol and 

 the admirable " Abol Syringe." And in times 

 of depression one feels inclined to cultivate 

 only such flowers as are exempt from grubs 

 and blight ; Pceonies for instance, or Rhodo- 

 dendrons. Alas ! that they are such a short- 

 lived joy ; for where should we be in July 

 without our Roses. 



1 Since writing this I have used Abol on fruit trees and 

 bushes with complete success. 



