THE DINGEE & CONARD COMPANY'S 



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

 should not remain 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. 



Tlie 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 brushed 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. 



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

 ease is known as mildew. Unless a very severe attack it will not probably k:ll 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 

 of a fine dusting of flour of sulphur over the whole plant. Sulphur is thought to be an antidote to the 

 growth of fungus, of which the white mould referred to is one form. 



The Mealy Bug is not apt to trou.ble Roses much; but is sometimes very injurious to other 

 house plants. It nestles closely at the base of the leaves and branches, and resembles at first sight a 

 speck of white cotton, but on close examination proves to be a repulsive looking bug covered with a 

 white powder. He is rather fond of Tobacco and other poisons, but does not like alcohol. So this 

 is the thing to give him — it can be put on with a feather or small brush, and he can be removed with 

 a pin or needle. 



Red Spider is a very minute insect, first appearing on the underside of the leaves, and though 

 difficult to see unless present in considerable numbers, its effects are quickly noticeable by the 

 browned or deadened appearance of the leaves. It flourishes best, in a hot dry atmosphere, either in- 

 doors or out; moisture is its greatest enemy. Sprinkle or wash your plants frequently , taking care to 

 wet the underside of the leaves thoroughly^ and you will not be troubled with red spider. In bad at- 

 tacks it may be necessary to sponge the leaves daily with warm water until the pest is thoroughly de- 

 stroyed. 



"White "Worms at the Root. — If troubled with white worms at the root, take up and wash 

 the roots clean in warm water, and re-pot in soil that has been prepared as directed on page 6. 



ROSES IN BEDS OR MASSES. 



To produce the finest effect, Roses should undoubtedly be planted in beds or masses — no other 

 flowers should be planted with them. When convenient, circular beds are perhaps the most desirable. 

 These should be highest in the middle, sloping gradually to the edge. A bed 12 feet in diameter will 

 contain about 150 Rose.s. Deep colors are usually preferred for massing ; and small beds of distinct 

 colors are thought by some to be preferable to a large bed of promiscuous varieties. This is a matter 

 of taste, however, that people will decide for themselves ; all roses are beautiful, and many persons like 

 to have as many varieties as possible in the same bed. When it is desired that the bed should present 

 a regular and even appearance, care must be taken to select varieties of the same or similar habit of 

 growth, and for special tastes and effects, it is sometimes best to plant but one sort in a bed. 



