130 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Thrips^ though very minute insects, in certain seasons inflict 

 a lot of injury upon Rose blossoms ; in fact, it is no uncommon 

 experience with those who exhibit to find some of their choicest 

 blossoms quite disfigured by the little creatures sucking the 

 juices from the petals. Syringing is most helpful, and if fairly 

 persistent before the buds open will be found an excellent pre- 

 ventative against the insects' attacks upon outdoor Roses. Under 

 glass they are also pests, and in that case fumigation must be 

 had recourse to. Teas usually harbour these little insects in the 

 largest numbers. 



Earwigs are injurious to Roses, but less so than to many 

 other flowers — Dahlias for instance. They should be trapped by 

 means of rolls of soft paper, old pieces of flannel, or inverted 

 flower-pots half-filled with hay, and placed in the trees or on 

 sticks. These traps must be examined each morning, and the 

 offenders killed by shaking them into a vessel and pouring over 

 them boiling water. 



Ants. — Interesting and industrious as these insects undoubtedly 

 are, they are enemies to the Rose-grower, and must be dealt 

 with in the manner described in the chapter "On Pests in 

 General." They are very numerous, and will soon make short 

 work of a most promising bud, especially if such has been 

 slightly injured previously. 



Beetles. — Considering the numerical strength of the order Cole- 

 optera, and the host of species to be found in gardens, it is 



astonishing to find such a very 

 small percentage destructive to 

 Roses. Offender in chief is the 

 Rosechafer {Ceto?iia auratd) (Fig. 

 64), an insect which for beauty of 

 colour rivals anvthins; in the floral 

 world known to this countrv. 

 Viewed in bright sunshine its 

 garments are of the most gorgeous 

 hues the upper surface being of 

 a brilliant green with golden reflec- 

 tions — the under surface a bright 

 copper. Seen, too, as it frequently 

 is, in the centre .of a Rose, whose 

 colour only adds to the beauty of 

 the intruder, it is indeed fair to look upon ; but there cannot 

 be any doubt as to its destructive propensities, and the insect 



Fig. 64. — The Rosechafer 

 (Cetonia aurataj . 



