THE JOYOUS ART OF GARDENING 



first noticed on the leaves at the base of the plant; later the 

 disease works upward. About the middle of Juiie gardeners 

 begin to watch for "black spot." As soon as a spotted leaf is 

 observed the spray should be cut oflf and also two or three 

 leaf-stallcs above the unfortunate, although they may seem 

 unaffected. These should be taken away and burned. Spray- 

 ing in April before the foliage appears and again in late June 

 with Bordeaux mixture is the best preventive, but even this 

 is a bit uncertain: it discolors the foliage and cannot be ap- 

 pUed while the plants are in bud. 



Aphis. — ^This is a tiny, green, sucking insect which, if you 

 let it, swarms over the stems of plants; whenever aphides 

 are noticed no time must be lost, for they increase with in- 

 credible rapidity. Tobacco dust applied when the foliage is 

 moist will discourage them. The surest remedy is tobacco- 

 tea: this should be applied with a sprayer or a whisk-broom. 

 If the tea is in a wide dish-pan the head of the plant may be 

 bent down, and the affected branches dipped in it and the 

 aphides both poisoned and drowned, thus making assurance 

 doubly sure. If you have but few plants five cents' worth of 

 the cheapest smoking-tobacco will be enough to make two 

 gallons of the beverage. Pour on boiling water and let stand 

 until cool. 



Green Worms: various larvse which in their adult stage 

 become different winged insects. — As larvae they are alike de- 

 structive to rose foliage. Take a small powder bellows and 

 while the leaves are moist dust them with powdered hellebore. 

 This will not improve the appearance of the rose-bushes, but 

 in a day it can be washed off with a hose and the enemy will 

 be found to have been expunged also. 



Mildew. — When roses haven't an abundance of air and 

 sunlight mildew may appear, especially after cool nights. 



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