132 ELLWANGER & BARRTS 



Protection. All of the Tea, Bengal, Noisette, and most of the Bourbon classes need protection if left out during 

 the Winter in this and similar climates ; indeed, all Roses would be better for a light covering-. This may be done 

 by hilling- up with earth ; or, better, by strewing- leaves or straw lig-htly over the plants and securing them with 

 everg-reen branches, oftentimes the latter are inthemselves sufficient. 



Insects. These are the bugbears which prevent many from cultivating- the Queen of Flowers, but they offer 

 little discouragement to loyal subjects, for g-enerally it is only the careless and indolent who greatly suffer from 

 these pests. If proper attention is paid to soil, planting-, watering, etc., and a few simple directions heeded, you 

 will not often be g-reatly troubled. The Aphis is among- the most annoying- foes, and particularly infest plants in 

 houses; healthy plants in the garden are but little liable to their attacks. There are numerous recipes for their 

 destruction, and the cultivator can use those which are most convenient and efficacious. 



The vapor of tobacco is not only very effective in destroying- insects where it can be confined, as in greenhouses, 

 but it is less injurious to delicate plants than either the smoke or the liquid. Hence, instead of fumigating green- 

 houses, it is customary now to strew the ground under the plants with tobacco stems, which being moistened by 

 the syringing, creates a vapor, which is destructive to insect life. This method will probably supersede the old way 

 of fumigating with tobacco smoke, which we have always found up to the present time, the best mode where 

 appliances can be had for confining the smoke ; this, however, is not very convenient for use in dwelling houses, 

 but we have other excellent remedies which are more practicable. Take four ounces of quassia chips, and boil them 

 ten minutes in a gallon of soft water ; strain off the chips and add four ounces of soft soap, which should be dissolved 

 in it as it cools, stirring well before using. It may be applied with a clean painter's brush of moderate or small size, 

 brushing every leaf and shoot that is infested. After fifteen or twenty minutes have elapsed, the plants should be 

 washed or syringed with pure water. Another good remedy is the same as above only tobacco stems— say a quarter 

 of a pound — are used instead of quassia. 



In the month of May, or as soon as the leaves have pushed forth, the rose caterpillar makes its appearance ; he 

 can readily be detected, for he glues a leaf or two together to form his shelter. Every day the bushes should be gone 

 over, and these glued leaves pinched between the finger and thumb, so as to crush the caterpillar ; let no fastidious 

 grower neglect this, or be induced to try other remedies ; this is the only one that is simple and effective. For other 

 insects, such as the saw fly, larvae, and all such as come at a later date than the caterpillar, an occasional syringing, 

 vigorously applied, will prove an excellent preventive. When they have made their appearance, a sprinkling of 

 powdered white hellebore over the plants will often destroy or disperse them ; but the plants should be well moist- 

 ened before the hellebore is applied, so that it will remain. The red spider may be generally kept off by keeping the 

 plants daily syringed with water. When plants are once infested with this dreaded insect, the fumes of sulphur will 

 alone disperse or destroy them. This application will, of course, cause the foliage to drop off, but it is the only 

 remedy we know to be efficacious. The red spider very seldom attacks plants in the open air, but confines itself to 

 the plants under glass. 



For the rose bug, hand picking must be resorted to, for, like the red spider, it is proof against hellebore, whale- 

 oil soap, and all such applications. 



Mildew. This disease is generally caused by extremes of heat and cold, and by a long continuance of damp, 

 cloudy weather. The best remedies are sulphur and soot ; one of these should be applied the moment the disease 

 makes its appearance. It is a good plan to previously sprinkle the plants with water, so that the substance applied 

 will adhere. 



ADVICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



See also Page 6. 



In case budded plants are ordered, state whether we shall send the same varieties on own roots, in case we can- 

 not supply them budded. This is necessary where parties ordering have any preference for either mode. When 

 nothing is said we exercise our best judgment, and if out of budded plants send those on their own roots, and " vice versa." 

 Budded plants, however, cannot be sent by mail— they are too large ; they can only go by express. 



Amateurs, in ordering will do well to leave the selections to us so far as possible, but our list is open to all to make 

 their own selections. Purchasers, however, will please say if they wish us to substitute in case all the varieties 

 ordered cannot be supplied. In such case we always endeavor to send something better where it is possible, than the 

 kind called for. We do not substitute without being requested to do so. 



Roses by Express. Wlien no directions are given as to what way the plants are to be sent, we always forward by 

 Express at the purchaser's cost. The plants which we send in this way (except the new and very scarce varieties) are 

 one year old buds, or one to two year old plants on own roots, and in the case of hardy soi-ts, are generally dormant. 

 They are of course, very much larger and more valuable than those sent by mail, and all who can afford it will do 

 much better to get their plants in this way. These plants are the only ones suitable for immediate effective rcsidts. 



Small Roses by Mail. There is a large number of our customers who, living at remote distances from the 

 Railroad or Express Offices, cannot conveniently receive packages by Express. There is another and larger class, 

 whose means do not admit of extensive purchases, but who cannot and will not be without flowers, and particularly 

 without roses. To such we are pleased to offer special inducements in the shape of roses by mail, at half the price 

 charged for the large plants, thus enabling all to provide themselves with the most beautiful flowers. The plants 

 are sent post paid at the prices named, but the money must be sent with the order. 



The plants sent by mail are grown in two and a half and three inch pots ; they are healthy young plants, well 

 rooted and carefully prepared for mailing. 



Note carefully the habit of growth as stated in the description, and you will not be disappointed in the size of 

 the plants ; it would he very unreasonable to expect plants of Eugenie Verdier as large as La Reine, or Xavier Olil><> 

 as strong as Jacqueminot. We have the very best quality of each kind that it is possible to grow. 



