356 The Rose Garden. 



shoots, and the harm done is not discovered till the part attacked withers and dies, and the 

 caterpillar probably by that time has fulfilled its term of existence as such and is safely 

 sleeping as a chrysalis ; others work openly, seeming to defy all our efforts to subdue them, 

 trusting to their wings, possibly to their diminutiveness, their numbers, or other means of 

 escape to elude just punishment, but so long as there is a leaf to prey upon some insects will 

 be found at work ; irrepressible is their energy, untiring their efforts, irremediable their effects. 



But while laying the insect race generally under this ban, it must in justice be admitted 

 that we have some sheep in the flock which do not deserve to be painted in quite such black 

 colours. Every rule is said to have its exceptions, and in this case they consist in the 

 Ichneumon flies and a few other tribes which keep in check and thin the ranks of our foes. 

 Therefore, after submitting to the reader a list of the species which may justly be regarded 

 as proscribed, we shall say a few words in favour of our insect friends. 



With reference to the former, it has been remarked that the species of insects found to 

 prey upon the Rose outnumber those attached to any other tree or plant, the oak excepted. 

 In dealing with them we should indeed hail with delight some destructive compound equally 

 simple in its application and direful in its effects to all pests. But from their various habits and 

 habitats such hopes are vain, and it becomes necessary to study the economy of each species 

 and the most effective means of subduing it will be soon apparent. There is no doubt but 

 that a state of weak health predisposes all plants to the attacks of noxious insects, and this 

 we think is clearly proved by the unusual abundance of caterpillars and green fly in cold 

 and unfavourable spring weather. The plants, tried and weakened by the ungenial state of 

 the atmosphere, lack the vigour which ensures the active circulation of the sap, and, unable 

 to resist the attacks of their enemies, speedily fall a prey to them. One general rule there- 

 fore to be observed is to keep the plants generally in good health, and then, even if insects 

 abound, their attacks will be found to be far less disastrous in their effects. 



In birds also natiire has furnished us with some valuable allies in harassing our enemies ; 

 but undoubtedly the most certain modes of destruction are to be practised by the hand of 

 the cultivator. With nearly all species of caterpillars hand picking, although tedious, is the 

 safest and only reliable operation. In the case of small caterpillars in buds, by gently squeezing 

 the latter their inmates may generally be destroyed expeditiously and without injury to the 

 plant, but when the caterpillars are large it is preferable to remove them from the plant 

 before killing them. With the moths and saw flies in their perfect state any means must be 

 resorted to which offer chance of success. They should be watched for on all opportunities 

 and destroyed. Early evening is the best time to seek moths, and daytime for saw flies. 

 With regard to the green fly (Aphis), many preparations have been found very effective 

 against its ravages. For Roses under glass thorough fumigation with tobacco smoke would 

 seem the most simple and effective remedy, and out-of-doors a solution of tobacco in water 

 or the composition formed by boiling together 1 Ib. of soft soap and 1 Ib. of quassia chips in 

 four gallons of water will be found sure in their results, but it is always advisable to syringe 

 the plant thoroughly with pure water twenty-four hours after it has undergone any operation 

 of this kind, in order to cleanse the leaves and shoots from all impurities. Where a special 

 mode of procedure is referrible to any species it will be noted when the insect is described. 

 Much of the success in keeping down insects consists in xising great watchfulness to accom- 

 plish the destruction of the creature in its young state, and thus preventing the spread of 

 the evil. 



Premising that everyone is acquainted with the fact that the period of an insect's existence 

 is divided between the egg, the caterpillar or larva, the chrysalis or pupa, and the imago or 

 perfect states, we shall close these few prefatory remarks with a short notice of the classification 



