May Lilac Time 



are useless. This pest hides itself within the rolled 

 edges of the leaves, and the only way to get rid of it 

 is to cut off the affected leaves a practice that cannot 

 be pursued indefinitely without harm to the Roses 

 or to search for and destroy the grubs. The Rose-leaf 

 hopper causes the foliage to become mottled with 

 white specks ; the result is not only to disfigure them 

 but to weaken the plants. This insect is commonest 

 on Roses grown against a wall. Both it and red 

 spider seem to prefer warm and dry conditions, 

 therefore spraying the trees forcibly and frequently 

 with the hose is advantageous. Syringing with nico- 

 tine wash is the best remedy for the leaf hopper. Red 

 spider may be got rid of by using a solution of salt, 

 1 tablespoonful dissolved in 1 gallon of water. 



Cuckoo Spit, or Frog Hopper, is a common and well- 

 known insect pest ; the froth which surrounds the 

 insect is easily dispersed by means of syringing ; then 

 the insect can be killed. The damage done by the 

 leaf -cutting bee is very characteristic; circular portions 

 are cut out of the leaves of Roses, and with these the 

 bee builds its nest. In my experience the attacks are 

 chiefly confined to Roses against a wall or fence, in 

 which neighbourhood the nest is usually to be found. 

 The way to get rid of this insect is to trace it to its nest 

 and then to destroy the latter, which is frequently in 

 a crevice of the wall or other convenient place. 



One of the most destructive caterpillars that 

 damage Rose leaves is that of a sawfly called the Rose 

 emphytus ; it eats large pieces out of the leaves and, 

 in common with other leaf -eating caterpillars, renders 

 them unsightly and weakens the plants. Hand picking 

 and syringing with hellebore wash offer the best 

 remedies. 



Greenfly and Caterpillars. Among insects that 

 may now be expected to cause trouble, especially 

 among Roses, are greenfly and various caterpillars. 



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