JUNE: THIRD WEEK 155 



very small and are something like flea beetles in their habit 

 of jumping away when disturbed. They are light yellow 

 in color. Nicotine spray and kerosene emulsion are effec- 

 tive against them. 



Mildew, Anthracnose and Leaf Blight 



The disease most commonly attacking roses is mildew. 

 There are two forms: The first and most common is con- 

 spicuous because of the suddenness with which it appears, 

 forming a cobwebby coating upon the leaves. The standard 

 remedy is flowers of sulphur, mixed with a little slaked 

 lime if desired, which may be dusted on where the disease 

 appears. The second form, downy mildew, is more persist- 

 ent, as it works farther into the tissues of the plant. Flowers 

 of sulphur, or other fungicidal sprays, will prevent its 

 spread, but all infected leaves should be carefully gathered 

 and destroyed. 



When the leaves on apparently healthy plants show small 

 black spots, fade out and drop off, so that the plant looks 

 very much denuded, anthracnose is likely to be the trouble. 

 It may be controlled by spraying with ammoniacal-copper- 

 carbonate solution at intervals of a week. All affected 

 foliage should be burned. 



Somewhat similar to anthracnose is leaf blight, which 

 resembles strawberry blight. Bordeaux is useful in con- 

 trolling it. If the foliage turns a faded color and falls, es- 

 pecially from new growth and from the tips of canes, the 

 disease is leaf blight. Infected canes should be cut out and 

 burned, and if there are many bad places it will be best 

 to get rid of the entire plant. 



All this makes quite a formidable array of troubles, but 

 the rose grower is not likely to encounter them all during 

 one season. Most of them can be controlled by a single 

 combination spray applied every ten days or two weeks 

 throughout the season. This plan of protection is by far 

 the safest and surest in the end, particularly when the roses 

 are grown mostly for cut blooms and a slight disfigurement 



