in the hand of the
rose-grower, as the remarkable handbook on the _Enemies of the Rose_,
published this spring (1908) by the National Rose Society. For here the
veriest tyro can recognize the diseases which puzzle him and the insects
which drive him to despair in all stages of their mischievous existence,
figured in exquisitely drawn and coloured plates; while in the terse and
admirable letter-press he is told how to combat their destructive ways.
This little book can be obtained by non-members of the Society for
2_s._ 6_d._, through any member; and it ought to find a place on the
shelf of every rose lover.

=Mildew=, of all Fungoid diseases, is the worst we have to contend with.
Some roses, such as the lovely _H. T. Killarney_, the _Crimson Rambler_,
the _H. P. Margaret Dickson_, and others, are specially subject to this
pest; and unless measures are taken against it when the very first sign
appears, it quickly spreads to other roses. Two seasons ago a plant of
_Margaret Dickson_ had it badly in my garden, and infected its
neighbour, _Frau Karl Druschki_, to an alarming extent.

This odious disease, though more or less always present in the garden,
appears generally in marked strength twice in the season--first in
spring, when the foliage is just fully developed, and secondly after the
midsummer shoots are grown.

It must be attacked early before it gets any hold, in fact, before it
actually shows, if we have reason to suspect its presence. _Flowers of
Sulphur_ is the most usual and effective preventive. It is blown over
the plants with bellows made specially for the purpose. Floating like a
fine cloud all over the garden it settles on every part of the plant.
The early morning before the dew is gone is the time to apply it, as the
evaporation of the dew has some subtle effect on the sulphur which
greatly increases its efficacy. Rev. F. Page-Roberts strongly
recommends _Black Sulphur_ instead of the ordinary yellow, used with one
of the "Ideal" Powder Bellows, made by W. Wood & Son, Wood Green.

Another preventive, which is advised in the National Rose Society's
handbook as extremely efficacious, is syringing with _Potassium
Sulphide_, _Liver of Sulphur_--half an ounce to a gallon of water. The
handbook advises adding a tablespoonful of liquid glue, or the whites of
two eggs to every gallon of water, as this causes the solution to adhere
better to the foliage. If thoroughly and carefully applied with a very
fine