INSECTS AND DISEASES. 89 



tender shoots, and in a short time will, if un- 

 molested, destroy the vigor or vitality of any 

 rose they infest. Much the best destructive 

 agent to use against them is tobacco smoke ; 

 when this cannot be applied, a liquid solu- 

 tion, made from tobacco stems or leaves, or 

 from quassia, will be found an efficient 

 method of working their destruction. Take 

 four ounces of quassia chips, or tobacco stems, 

 and boil them about ten minutes in a gallon 

 of soft water; strain off the chips, and add 

 four ounces of soft soap, which should be 

 dissolved in it as it cools, stirring well before 

 using. It may be applied by dipping a whisk 

 broom in the mixture and sprinkling all 

 shoots that are infested. Whale-oil soap, 

 dissolved in water, is also a useful remedy. 

 MILDEW. This is a fungous disease often 

 caused by great and sudden atmospheric 

 changes, and by a long continuance of damp, 

 cloudy weather. The best proved remedies 

 are sulphur and soot ; one of these should be 

 applied the moment the disease makes its ap- 

 pearance; the plants should be sprinkled 

 with water so that the substance applied will 

 adhere, or else let it be put on early in the 

 morning while the dew is yet on the plants. 

 Some localities are much more subject to 

 visitations of this disease than ethers, and in 



