INSECT ENEMIES. 



BY FRED V. THEOBALD, M.A., 



Vice-Principal and Zoologist of the Agricultural College, Wye, Kent. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



There are so many insects which the Rose grower 

 finds on his plants that it is quite impossible to refer 

 to them all in this small manual. Some of the worst 

 kinds only which have been complained of or observed 

 as being harmful are briefly dealt with. Probably these 

 constitute the majority of insects, which we may term 

 " pests." 



One readily notices the leaves or buds of a Rose 

 being eaten by a caterpillar, whereas in most other 

 vegetation one pays no attention to such damage unless 

 it be very serious. 



The remedies which one can apply for the insect pests 

 of Roses are few and simple. They may be summed up 

 as "just a little gentle washing with non-caustic 

 substances and just a lot of finger and thumb work." 



One point we may draw attention to, and that 

 is that we must be careful not to introduce pests into 

 our gardens on briars. We must also look out for 

 young insects, and try and get rid of them before 

 they do any damage. 



Late autumnal attacks of insects are often dis- 

 regarded, but we should bear in mind that the leaves are 

 essential until the wood has ripened, and it may often 

 be necessary to cope with such pests as the leaf-eating 

 sawflies, and some caterpillars in the autumn. 



