NOTICING 110SES. 
199 
beyond question, not only the best remedy, but an effectual pre¬ 
ventive of the spread of insects, and, by keeping the plants clean, 
conduces greatly to their general health. The most strenuous 
exertions will, however, be insufficient to completely prevent the 
appearance of insects: green-ffies are certain to be found upon 
the plants at some time or other, and immediately they are seen, 
the house must be fumigated with tobacco-smoke ; or, indeed, it 
is better not to wait for their appearance, but to apply the smoke 
once a fortnight regularly through the season : they cannot then 
obtain any hold. 
Another still more dangerous pest is the larva of the rose- 
beetle. The eggs which produce them are laid upon the plants 
in the previous summer, and the same warmth wnich sets the 
vegetating powers of the plant in action, gives life to these de¬ 
stroyers ; and, by the time the young shoots have grown half an 
inch in length, the grubs will be found devouring their hearts. 
The most unremitting care is then necessary to detect and re¬ 
move them, or the blossoms are certain to be destroyed. Nothing 
but hand-picking can be depended on, and the plants should be 
looked over once or twice every day. 
The removal of the plants from the forcing-house is a matter 
requiring almost as much attention as their introduction; in 
order to prolong their beauty it should be done as soon as the 
flower buds are well coloured; the change to a cooler atmosphere 
has an effect which causes the plant to remain stationary for a 
considerable time, and we must therefore get them just so far ad¬ 
vanced as to be worth admiring, but at the same time carefully 
observe they do not remain beyond that stage, as a day or two 
makes much difference in the flowers, and if allowed to stay till 
about to expand, much of their ornamental value is lost. It is 
also desirable to stand them in a rather warm position when 
first out of the house ; the sitting-room or conservatory usually 
receives them, and there we have to guard against draughts, for 
if subject to a chill of the kind, an unpleasant blackness spreads 
over the blossoms, the foliage curls, or falls off, and an unhealthy 
aspect is soon visible throughout the plant: water should then 
be given cautiously, and it is worth remembering the drier the 
atmosphere, the more powerful will be the perfume of the 
blossoms ; light enough to prevent the leaves becoming etiolated 
