CHAPTER IV 



Insects, Diseases and Spraying 



Only one really serious pest — Importance of general good 

 health — Every-day remedies — Water and poisons — 

 The scales — Fungus diseases worse under glass — No 

 need for despair — When to spray. 



INSECTS 



Of all the ornamental garden plants, the 

 rose bush usually suffers the most from insect 

 pests, although well-grown, healthy roses in 

 the open air suffer little, except from the rose 

 bug or beetle, the most formidable enemy 

 of all. 



Rose beetle. This is very destructive if 

 allowed to increase. Daily inspection is nec- 

 essary whenever it appears. The beetles are 

 oftenest found buried in the heart of the 

 choicest light-coloured flowers, and are most 

 numerous on sandy soils. Hand picking in 

 the early morning is the only remedy, and a 

 small vessel half filled with kerosene is a safe 

 and convenient receptacle. Paris green at 



47 



