THE BOOK OF THE PEONY 



tigation and study by the Federal Government 

 and by State Experiment Stations. 



The consensus of opinion is that no way of 

 adequately controlling the rose-bug has yet been 

 discovered. Poisonous sprays, which kill other 

 insects, only stupefy the tenacious rose-bug. 

 When this fact looms large, one is inclined to 

 question, with James Russell Lowell, " whether 

 Noah was justified in preserving this class of 

 insects! " 



To reduce its ravages, two practical sugges- 

 tions are made: 



1. Through May and up to the middle of 

 June, the ground should be thoroughly stirred 

 to the depth of at least two inches. The young 

 of the rose-bug are very delicate and are easily 

 killed in the second or pupal stage of their growth 

 when developing underground. The slightest 

 disturbance destroys them. 



2. When once the beetles have appeared in 

 the garden, hand picking is the only way in which 

 to dispose of them. This slow and wearisome 

 proceeding may be somewhat hastened if a few 

 spirseas or white roses are planted to act as lures. 

 The rose-bugs are fond of these plants and gather 



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