74 
AND 
April, 1890. 
Rose. An excellent preventive remedy for 
this find the Rose Slug is whale-oil soap dis- 
solved in water in the proportion of one 
pound to eight gallons. This, if steadily ap- 
plied twice a week, with a syringe on Roses 
before the leaves have formed in the spring 
will entirely prevent the ravages of these 
troublesome pests. Another remedy is Par- 
is green mixed with water in the proportion 
of one ounce to 100 gallons, and used with a 
svringe as recommended for the whale-oil 
soap. The remedies are only preventives, 
however, as if the insects get a good hold it 
is almost impossible to eradicate them, un- 
less by hand picking. 
THE ROSE BUG 
( Aramigits Fullerii ) usually confines its rav- 
ages to Roses in-doors, and is rarely 
destructive in the open ground. 
The perfect insect is somewhat like 
small cockroach having a hard 
shell of a brownish color. Its pre- 
sence is detected by the ragged 
semi-circular pieces which it eats 
out at the edge of the leaves ; but 
it does little harm at this stage. 
The mature insect deposits its eggs 
close to the stem of the rose; these 
soon hatch, and the larvae (or 
grub) at once begins to feed on 
the roots. The only remedy is to 
pick off the perfect insect, which 
will usually be found on the stems 
and the under side of the leaves. 
Care must be taken in picking 
them, as they drop to the ground 
on the slightest alarm, where they 
lay perfectly quiet, their color har- 
monizing with the soil makes it no 
easy matter to find them. If the 
larvae attacks the plants in large 
quantities it is impossible to suc- 
cessfully combat them; the plants 
and soil also should be thrown out, 
as nothing has been found to kill 
the insect in the larvae stage, and 
the Roses will do no good while 
the grub is at the roots. 
THE RED SPIDER 
is a minute insect, almost invisible 
to the naked eye, and only makes 
its appearance iD a hot and dry 
atmosphere. Their presence is 
shown by a brown and hard ap- 
pearance of the foliage. If the undersides of 
the leaves are then examined great numbers 
of these little pests may be seen. Frequent 
syringing of the foliage will keep the plant 
clear of them, but if they are allowed to 
gain a foothold, the leaves which are badly 
affected had better be picked off and thrown 
away. 
MILDEW 
is a species of fungus generated by exposure 
to chilling winds, and is apparent by the 
presence of a grayish white film on the af- 
fected parts; it is very hard to effect a cure 
in the open air, where the conditions that 
produce it are beyond control; but it can be 
held in check by dusting the plants with 
Flowers of Sulphur, or syringing with a 
preparation made for the purpose, known 
plants with handsome foliage and bright- 
colored flowers, C. Indica and C. iridifloru 
being the favorites. Since that time there 
has been a steady improvement in foliage 
and flower. The hard seeds were put on 
strings, and worn around children’s necks 
as a substitute for beads, and pretty substi- 
tutes they were. The seeds have a very 
hard shell, and were soaked for a day and 
a night (the regulation time) in pretty 
warm water, the heat of the water being 
renewed several times. Most people would 
sow the seed with only this simple prepara- 
tion ; but some would rub down the round 
end of the seed on a stone ; others would 
pare it away with a knife or cut a slit in it, 
and so on, there being no inconsiderable 
rivalry as to who had the best 
method of starting Indian Shot. 
Usually, the farmer’s wife who 
put her tin cup of seed on the warm 
hearth when she went to bed came 
out ahead. It may be doubted 
whether there is any better method 
to-day for starting or preparing 
Canna seed. 
The French or Dwarf Cannas 
originated a few years ago with 
M. Crozy, and the dwarf habit 
may not yet be so fully established 
as to be constantly reproduced 
from seed ; but we know that seed 
from some will reproduce the 
dwarf habit and very handsome 
flowers besides. Both plants and 
of the CrozyCannas are offered 
by Peter Henderson & Co. of New 
York City, and we advise the reader 
to get some and try them. These 
dwarf Cannas will be to the masses 
what Orchids are to the few. Aside 
from the curious and beautiful 
flowers, the foliage is very hand- 
some, and the plant is an object 
for admiration wherever placed. — 
P. B. Mead. 
Floral Notes. 
The propagation of plants by 
cuttings may be continued this 
month. As the sun grows warmer 
a little more shading will be neces- 
sary when the sun reaches the cut- 
tings, especially in the case of soft- 
wooded plants. The shading should be re- 
moved as the sun goes off, and the cuttings 
hardene,d as fast as it can be safely done. 
Cuttings should be potted as soon as they 
are rooted, and many may be potted as 
soon as they are well callused. The check 
is less than when they are allowed to make 
long roots. When potted, a little shading 
will be necessary for a few days. 
Seeds may still be sown indoors. A cold 
frame out of doors would now be best for 
seeds of half-hardy plants, and it is a great 
convenience to have one. It saves much 
trouble in watering, and the young plants 
are more easily hardened off. It is not 
probable that there will be settled warm 
weather much before the last of April, at 
as “Mildew Mixture,” which can be pro- 
cured in our seed stores. 
BLACK SPOT 
is a parasitic fungus which manifests itself 
in the form of round or irregularly shaped 
black spots upon the upper surface of the 
leaves. Generally only the full grown leaves 
are attacked, and it gradually spreads 
through them, destroying the circulation of 
the sap and causing a premature fall of the 
foliage. The Moss Roses and Hardy Hybrid 
Perpetuals are more subject than the Tea 
or Monthly class to this disease. There is 
no known certain remedy for it, up to the 
present time. The only thing to be done is 
to pick off and burn all affected leaves so as 
to prevent its spread, as it is quickly con- 1 
Types of the Crozy Cannas. 
tagious. It is usually a consequence of an 
injury to the roots either by an excess of 
moisture or an excess of drought. When 
grown out of doors the danger from drought 
may be remedied by watering — but nothing 
can guard against injury from dull, wet 
weather. — Peter Henderson. 
The New French Dwarf Cannas. 
Cannas have always been favorite garden 
plants, and the introduction of the new 
dwarf or French Cannas will make them 
more popular than ever. The Canna, in 
our younger days, was known as Indian 
Shot, and was grown as an annual. Fifty 
or sixty years ago the Canna was to be 
found in almost every garden where flow- 
ers were grown. They were tall-growing 
