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such as could not be described, and would not be 

 believed if they were described, or, at least, none but 

 an ocular witness could conceive of their numbers. 

 Destruction by hand was," in this case, " out of the 

 question." He put sheets under the tree, and shook 

 them down, and burnt thero. Rose-bugs are day- 

 fliers, and do not use their wings readily during the 

 night, which would therefore be the most suitable time 

 to perform the operation mentioned by Mr. Lowell. 

 Dr. Green, of Mansfield, whose investigations * have 

 rendered the history of this insect complete, proposes 

 protecting particular plants with millinet, and says that 

 in this way only did he succeed in securing his grape- 

 vines from depredation. A strong mixture of black 

 pepper and tobacco in water was applied by him with a 

 brush to the leaves and fruit ; but it came short of the 

 end desired. Air-slacked lime or flowers of sulphur, 

 dusted upon and beneath the leaves when wet with 

 dew, have, in several instances, under my own obser- 

 vation, partially screened them from attack. Of kte 

 years the rose-bug has perceptibly diminished in num- 

 bers ; but I regret to observe, that it is likely to be 

 replaced by a destroyer of the same genus, with simi- 

 lar habits and powers. This insect is of a broad oval 

 shape, of a rust color, and rather larger in size than 

 the rose-bug. It is the Melolontha varians of Fabricius, 

 and is closely allied to the vine-chaffer, so destructive 

 to the vine in Europe. The leaves of the wild grape- 

 vine are its natural food, but, like the rose -bug, it is not 

 particular in its choice. In the year 1825 I first 



* New England Farmer, Vol. VI. pages 41, 49, &c. 



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