386 AMERICAN GRAPE CULTURE. 



gest bushel " of rose-bugs, the u largest quart " 

 of curculios, and so on. These prizes should 

 be liberal enough to enlist the services of men, 

 women, and children, among whom there are al- 

 ways idlers enough to keep the " insect plague " 

 within harmless bounds. We have tried the 

 experiment with the best results. The insect 

 collectors had access to all the trees and vines 

 in the neighborhood, and they very seldom in- 

 jured a plant. It is only by some kind of united 

 action that much good can be effected. With 

 its aid, the rose-bug has been made to disappear 

 from some localities, and so might other kinds 

 of insects. 



The Hose-bug, (Melolonfha subspinosa, Fig. 

 152.) This is one of the most de- 

 structive pests that troubles the vine. 

 It makes its appearance in great mul- 

 titudes about the time the vine comes 

 Fig. 152. j n ^ o "blossom, which it soon destroys, 

 and often injures the foliage. If the vine is jar- 

 red, the beetles drop to the ground, but soon make 

 their way back. This dropping propensity has 

 suggested the best method of destroying them, 

 which is to hold a basin of water under them, 

 and jar the vine, when they immediately drop. 

 A couple of active men will soon go over an 



