160 PARSONS ON THE ROSE. 



During the time of their prevalence, rose-bugs are some- 

 times found in immense numbers on the flowers of the 

 common white-weed, or ox-eye daisy, ( Chrysanthemum 

 Uucanthemum^ a worthless plant, which has come to us 

 from Europe, and has been suffered to overrun our pas- 

 tures, and encroach on our mowing lands. In certain 

 cases it may become expedient rapidly to mow down the 

 infested white- weed in dry pastures, and consume it with 

 the sluggish rose-bugs on the spot. 



" Our insect-eating birds undoubtedly devour many of 

 these insects, and deserve to be cherished and protected 

 for their services. Rose-bugs are also eaten greedily by 

 domesticated fowls ; and when they become exhausted 

 and fall to the ground, or when they are about to lay 

 their eggs, they are destroyed by moles, insects, and other 

 animals, which lie in wait to seize them. Dr. Green in- 

 forms us that a species of dragon-fly, or devil's needle, 

 devours them. He also says that an insect, which he calls 

 the enemy of the cut-worm, probably the larva of a 

 Carabus, or predaceous ground-beetle, preys on the grubs 

 of the common dor-bug. In France, the golden ground- 

 beetle {Carahus auratus) devours the female dor or chafer 

 at the moment when she is about to deposit her eggs. I 

 have taken one specimen of this fine ground-beetle in 

 Massachusetts, and we have several other kinds equally 

 predaceous, which probably contribute to check the in- 

 crease of our native Melolonthians." — Harris. 



A. J. Downing recommends the use of open-mouthed 

 bottles, half filled (and occasionally renewed) with a mix- 

 ture of sweetened water and vinegar, and placed about 

 the plant. He also recommends pouring boiling water on 

 the ground, under the bushes, at the first appearance of 

 the insects, and before their wings are formed. They 

 nearly all rise to the surface of the ground, and emerge 

 about the same time that the Damask Rose first begins 



