150 The Rose Garden. 



and the prominence of the buds, sufficiently attest the value of it. It may, however, 

 be dispensed with so soon as the branches begin to harden and the flower-buds are 

 formed. It is advisable to syringe the plants twice daily in the early stage of growth ; 

 in the morning, just as the sun falls upon them, and again in the afternoon. But 

 should several cloudy or rainy days follow consecutively, one syringing, and that in 

 the morning, is sufficient. Disbudding should be practised here, as before recom- 

 mended. 



The Rose when forced has as much to contend with from the insect tribe as 

 when growing naturally in the garden. Here, as elsewhere, the Rose-grub will require 

 close seeking, for the treatment which causes the production of Roses before their 

 natural time produces him also. 



The red spider is sometimes productive of sad results, for which moisture is the 

 best remedy. Syringe the plants abundantly and daily with tepid soot-water, 

 perfectly clear, driving the water with some force against the young leaves through a 

 fine rose-syringe, so as not to bruise or injure them. The pipes may also be washed 

 with sulphur and soot formed into a liquid, laying it on when they are in a warm but 

 not hot state. Thrip, should it appear, may be kept in check by smoking.* 



For the destruction of the aphides the usual plan of fumigating with tobacco must 

 be had recourse to, and this upon their first appearance. The atmosphere of the 

 forcing house seems particularly congenial to them. To-day you will see a few 

 stalking up and down the shoots ; disregard them for a week and you will see 

 thousands. To avoid the unpleasant situation of being enveloped in a dense cloud 

 of tobacco-smoke, the following plan is now adopted in many places : a portion of 

 tobacco, judged sufficient for the size of the house, is mixed with an equal portion 

 of damp moss, and placed in a fine wire sieve over charcoal embers. This gradually 

 smoulders away, and the house is filled to perfection. In a large house a sieve at 

 either end is advisable. Fumigation will require to be repeated frequently ; for if only 

 one or two aphides escape, the house is soon swarming again, and no plant can thrive 

 while covered with these numerous sap-suckers. Here, as elsewhere, new inventions 

 are constantly arising, and we have found the X-L-A11 vaporising compound burnt 

 over a spirit lamp a safe and efficient remedy. This remedy is also issued in the form 

 of brown paper sheets, which may be hung up and set alight without fear of injury to 

 the plants. 



Mildew will often appear among forced Roses, and is a pest of no ordinary kind. 

 I have seen the beauty of a house destroyed by it for a season. To know something 

 of its history and economy may help the cultivator to combat its influences. 



A microscopic examination of Rose mildew shows that the fungus growth consists 

 of a vast accumulation of necklace-like clubs or vertical chain-like growths, as seen in 



* For an account of the Entomology of the Rose, see Appendix B. 



