THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



much, but they also choke the pores of the lower growths by their sticky secretions 

 which retain any dust or dirt that may come into contact with them. 



Bed Spider, or Mite. — This very minute, but highly destructive pest, spins a 

 web over the lower portions of a leaf and proceeds to drain the life out of the foliage. 

 A dry atmosphere will soon bring on this terrible pest. Syringing, damping down, 

 or sprinkling water about in the house to obtain a moist atmosphere, are the best 

 natural checks. A little sulphur mixed into a paste and spread over the hot-water 

 pipes will give off fumes, but the pipes must not be allowed to get too hot, nor should 

 any of the sulphur be applied close to the boiler. Out-doors we must depend entirely 

 upon the syringe. 



Thrips. — These long, thin, greyish-black insects are among the worst pests of the 

 rose, and soon make the leaves look starved, thin, dirty, and altogether out of 

 condition. A larger and blacker type attacks the blooms out of doors during a very 

 dry season. 



Brown Scale. — The most difficult of all to kill, and we know of no solution 

 powerful enough to destroy it, and still be harmless to young rose growth. Trim 

 away as much of the growth as possible while dormant, then dress the remainder 

 with a solution that will be advised. This will destroy existing pests, and at the 

 same time prevent others from gaining a footing. 



Green fly has been mentioned, but there is a white insect that feeds upon the 

 lower cuticle of the foliage, giving the leaves a spotted appearance. It jumps to a 

 considerable distance when disturbed, and is rather larger than the fully-grown 

 green fly. 



The Eose Maggot. — This, the larva of Tortrix Bergmanniana, is a most injurious 

 grub. It is prevalent early in the season, feeding upon the young leaves and shoots, 

 also the flower buds as soon as they form. A short time before retiring to undergo 

 their change into the rose-leaf saw-fly, these maggots wrap themselves up in a rose- 

 leaf, and whereA r er the curled leaves are found — a very little experience will soon show 

 whether the leaf is curled from this cause or simply undeveloped — ■they should be 

 pressed between the finger and thumb. Kill the first few, and you will be clear for 

 the season. After looking over the plants for curled leaves, give the stem a smart tap. 

 Any maggot that may have been missed will drop towards the ground suspended from 

 a silken thread. Capture these at once, or when quiet again they will soon work their 

 way up to their original quarters. 



