A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



29 



they will start again into new life and trouble. The sur- 

 face of the garden is much improved by this hoeing and 

 raking, and, if possible, it should be done after every rain, 

 or at least once a week. One hour will be sufficient to en- 

 able one to go over both borders. 



INSECTS 



appear in June, and, if allowed to have full freedom, will 

 do great harm. The best friends the grower can have are 

 the birds. If treated kindly, and made to feel at heme in 

 the garden, they will do more to remove troublesome in- 

 sects than any other one thing, except toads. Toads should 

 be treated with respect and kindness. If there are none in 

 the garden, hire a boy to procure a dozeii, and give them 

 free range over the grass and borders. They destroy great 

 quantities of vermin, and must, therefore, have all the con- 

 sideration due to floricultural benefactors. The lady-bird, 

 a small and well-known insect, also seems to keep down 

 destructive creatures of its own kind. Plaster, or wood 

 ashes, sprinkled over the leaves of young plants, if applied 

 early in the morning, will keep away several kinds of de- 

 structive bugs. The following mixture, if showered with 

 a syringe over rose bushes or other plants infested with the 

 rose slug, will be found useful. It can be procured from 

 any chemist, and when once prepared will last a long time : — 

 Sol Sulphuret of Lime, 



Quicklime, 1 lb. , 



Sulphur (flowers), 2 " 

 Water, 10 " 



