• II^SECTS AKD DISEASES. 83 



the various pests which worry the rose, but it is 

 with our roses as with ourselves, prevention is 

 always better than cure. A pure atmosphere, 

 cleanliness, by the free use of water, etc. , heal- 

 thy food, not necessarily that which is most 

 nutritious, but that which can with certainty be 

 assimilated or digested, are requirements com- 

 mon to our own lives and those of our roses, if 

 they are to be healthy ones. A watchful care, 

 with systematic attention to watering, syringing, 

 etc., will often keep away insect enemies that 

 would otherwise surely come to^ torment us. 

 Many gardens in the suburbs of cities are 

 supplied with water conducted from the mains 

 of the water works in pipes ; those who have 

 such a supply of water in their grounds will find 

 it an easy matter frequently to spray all the 

 plants both from beneath and above. The fre- 

 quent and vigorous application of water is as 

 hateful to the insects described as it is to fight- 

 ing cats, and every one who grows roses (or cats) 

 should be provided with that most useful instru- 

 ment the garden syringe ; it is a most valuable 

 weapon of defence or of offence, whether used 

 in keeping off the Rose Hopper or in dispersing 



