154 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



getting rid of them is "hand picking." This should be 

 done early every morning, and with the proper equipment 

 a great number of beetles can be destroyed in a very short 

 time. An old cooking vessel with a handle, such as the 

 bottom part of a double boiler, is just the thing to collect 

 bugs in. It should be rilled about a third full of water and 

 kerosene. From a piece of shingle whittle out a pointed 

 paddle, which may be used to dislodge the beetles. If this 

 work is done regularly every morning when the beetles first 

 put in an appearance you will not have much difficulty in 

 getting the best of them. 



The rose slug is often troublesome. This is a small green 

 worm that works on the under sides of the leaves, eating 

 through and leaving only skeletons. Birds generally keep 

 the slugs under control, but if they get numerous enough 

 to prove injurious, hellebore, either dusted or sprayed, will 

 get them. Be sure that the under sides of the leaves are 

 covered. Hellebore may be dusted on pure, or mixed with 

 boiling water, a tablespoonful to two gallons, and used when 

 cool. Arsenate of lead powder is also effective and may 

 be dusted on the under sides of the leaves with a goose- 

 necked duster. The slug usually appears from June to 

 August. 



The green fly or aphis frequently attacks the rose. Being 

 near the color of the plant this may become firmly estab- 

 lished before being noticed, unless sharp watch is kept. The 

 flies usually congregate first about the base of the bud, in 

 leaf axils, or in any place where they are likely to pass un- 

 noticed. When you discover them spray at once with 

 nicotine or kerosene emulsion. Keeping the plants dusted 

 with tobacco dust will help to keep the aphides away. If 

 they become established the plants will need to be sprayed 

 several times; the pests propagate so rapidly that a few 

 will soon reinfest the plant. 



Another insect that sometimes attacks roses, working 

 from the under side of the leaves, is the leaf hopper. Small 

 yellow spots appear on the upper surfaces of otherwise 

 healthy leaves without apparent cause. The hoppers are 



