8 THE DINGEE <fe CONARD COMPANY'S 



turbing the roots, and replace with fresh rich soil, put at once in a warm room, and give plenty of 

 water, they will push up a vigorous growth and bloom profusely, and will continue to bloom as long 

 as they can be kept in growing condition. When done blooming they can be cut back and removed 

 to a cool cellar, and if shaken out in the Spring and re-potted, with the same treatment as before, they 

 will be ready for blooming again by the next Winter. 



INSECT ENEMIES; 



It is a remarkable fact in the wise economy of nature that Destructive Insects do not increase largely 

 in mt7nber frovi year to year. A sudden increase in one year is likely to be followed the next by an 

 almost total disappearance of the same variety. Do not allow yourself, therefore, to think you cannot 

 grow Roses because the slugs or the bugs are so bad this year — a little perseverance to help your 

 plants survive the present attack is probably all that is needed ; next year you may not be troubled 

 with them at all. 



In guarding against the attacks of insects, it is well to remember that half the battle depends on 

 keeping the plants healthy, and in strong growing condition. Good rich soil and thorough cultivation 

 at^ the best insect preventives. 



Frequent stirring of the ground with hoe and rake, besides benefiting the plants, is injurious and 

 annoying to all insects whose eggs or young are deposited in the earth, and who want nothing so 

 much as to be LET alone. As it is much easier to destroy a few insects when they first appear, than 

 the countless thousands which these will soon produce, it is important to watch closely the first at- 

 tack, and apply the needful remedies at once. 



The Aphis or G-reen Fly attacks the young growth, and will first be found at the extremities 

 of the branches. It feeds on the juices of the plant, and will soon starve and sicken the whole bush. 

 Remedy, Tobacco Smoke. This is easily applied by covering the plant with a box or barrel, or even 

 a quilt and putting under a pan of burnipg Tobacco; the smoke should remain on an hour or more. If 

 the insects are very bad it may take frequent applications, but it is a sure cure. A strong tea of To- 

 bacco will answer the same purpose, if more convenient to apply. The infected part may be dipped 

 in, or the whole plant thoroughly sprinkled as often as may be necessary. For house plants when 

 Tobacco is not desirable, i hot water bath is almost equally effective. The water should be as hot as 

 the hand can bear, and the whole top of the plant dipped in two or three times in succession ; but 

 it should not remain in more than two seconds at a time. 



The Rose Slug' is a much worse enemy than the Aphis, but it, too, can easily be kept in check 

 by proper attention. The body of the Slug is green and soft, almost transparent, like jelly; they eat 

 the surface of the leaf, leaving the veins and skeleton untouched, and they multiply so rapidly that 

 they will destroy all the foliage of the largest bushes in a few hours. One plan is to dust the plant 

 thickly with powdered or air-slaked lime, plaster of Paris, road dust, or ashes, and repeat vigorously 

 as often as may be required. Or, the plants may be thoroughly sprinkled and washed with a strong 

 suds, made of soft soap and salt. A recent writer says the following remedy is thoroughly effective, 

 cheap, and quickly applied: Dissolve one tablespoonful of Powdered White Hellebore in two gallons 

 of boiling water; when cool apply to the Roses with a whisk broom, bending the tops of the plants 

 over, and dashing on the water in a fine spray, so as to reach the under side of the leaves as well as 

 the upper. The Hellebore can be had of any druggist, and one application is usually sufficient for a 

 season. 



The Rose Bug' is well known to cultivators as one of their most desperate enemies. The only 

 cure is hand picking. This is not a serious matter, but can easily be done if taken in time; the Bugs 

 being large, may be quickly brushcl or picked into a vessel containing water, after which they should 

 be burned. The best time to gather them is early in the morning. As in most other matters, con= 

 stant vigilance is the price of success. 



Mildew. — When plants suddenly become covered with a whitish looking mould or dust, the dis- 

 ease is known aa Mildew. Unless a very severe attack it will not probably kill them, but only retard 

 their growth. It is believed to be induced by atmospheric causes, as sudden changes of temperature 

 or moisture. For out- door plants, a thorough stirring of the soil, with a view to encourage strong 

 growth, is probably the best thing that can be done, In-doors the same treatment^ with the addition 



