ROSES.— INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



177 



straw or bracken shaken among their heads and then the whole loosely tied to- 

 gether. It is more necessary to protect at the point where rose and stock join than 

 the extremity of growths. All dwarf or bush rose plants should have the surround" 

 ing soil drawn up to and among their base. This vital part will then be absolutely 

 safe from frost, and should the upper wood be affected, the plants will break out 

 again from the base and soon be in full vigour. A few pieces of fir, gorse, or 

 laurel, may be stuck in the ground around and among the wood of the more tender 

 varieties, and will generally afford ample protection. 



It is not advisable to encase the plants in straw or hay similar to myrtles, 

 magnolias and other half-hardy kinds. Only an exceptionally severe winter, or 

 one of sudden extremes, will materially injure the majority of roses now cultivated, 

 and most of our trade growers allow their young plants to take all winter risks in 

 open fields. 



INSECTS AND DISEASES. 



These are very numerous, but few of them are really serious provided we take 

 precautions in due time. To neglect cleansing the plants simply because the insect 

 foes or such insidious diseases as mildew have only just made an appearance is 

 unwise. Not only are our plants easier freed when early measures are employed, 

 but we save the plants from permanent injury. 



Eose Aphis or Green Fly. — This is the most common insect foe of the rose. As 

 soon as growth commences, whether under glass or in the open air, the insects usually 

 appear. Fortunately, they are not difficult to destroy, but the young growths of roses, 

 upon which the pests chiefly feed, is notoriously tender, so that we have a special 

 reason why the insects should be destroyed early, and before it becomes necessary 

 to use strong solutions. A frequent use of the syringe with a weak solution of some 

 insecticide is always a safe check to the ravages of insects. Where so many amateurs 

 err is in waiting for a horde of insects, and then using a strong mixture, and thus 

 injuring the plants. This is often the case. A much wiser plan is to act sooner 

 when the insects are few, young, and tender, as they are then easily banished. At 

 the end of these notes a few recipes will be given that are safe and effectual if they 

 are applied as directed. 



The rose aphis feeds on young growths by sucking out the sap from the tiny 

 punctures thus made. The little sap they rob the plant of would not matter very 



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