INSECTS AND DISEASES. 75 



scendants. Through their slender beak they 

 suck the juices of the plant, always working at 

 the tender shoots, and in a short time will, if 

 unmolested, destroy the vigor or vitality of 

 any rose they infest. Much the best destruc- 

 tive agent to use against them is tobacco smoke ; 

 when this cannot be applied, a liquid solution, 

 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 use- 

 ful 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 appearance ; the 



