MEMORANDA FOR THE MONTH 275 



the Rose-grub (what an amalgamation of the lovely 

 and the loathsome!) must be sought for constantly 

 and closely. The search must be continued during 

 the early part of 



and the pest will be found hidden in the curled leaf, 

 from which he would presently attack the Rose, as a 

 burglar conceals himself in the shrubbery before he 

 breaks into the drawing-room. Of all the months, 

 this to the Rosarian brings most anxiety. Nothing 

 so adverse to his Roses as late vernal frosts, cold, 

 starving nights in May. The sap is checked, the 

 circulation of Rose-blood is impeded, and weakness 

 and disease follow inevitably. The trees, which were 

 growing luxuriantly, suddenly cease to make further 

 progress. They look well to the eye ; the inexperi- 

 enced apprehends no injury ; but the disease is there, 

 and the symptoms will soon show themselves. Wisely 

 did our forefathers fix their Rogation Days at this 

 most perilous time. Wisely did priest and people 

 go together round the boundary fields, with earnest 

 prayer that they might in due time enjoy the kindly 

 fruits of the earth. Even the heathen kept his days 

 of Rogation, and besought his gods ^ ut omnia bene 

 efflorescerent and shall the Christian call it super- 

 stition to invoke the blessings of Heaven upon corn- 



