76 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



it thoroughly, giving the aphides a quieting bath. The lad3" bird 

 or lady bug, and a green fly, are said to be natural enemies of the 

 aphis. 



The Rose bug, known for a long time in Massachusetts and the 

 southern portions of New England, has appeared in some gardens 

 in this State within a few years past, and from the manner of their 

 annual advent and the alarming nature of their operations, I ap- 

 prehend serious disaster to our fruit interests unless some effect- 

 ual remedy for this scourge is discovered. TIarris says : " They 

 attack at random various kinds of plants in swarms, and have be- 

 come notorious for their extensive and deplorable ravages. The 

 grape vine in particular, the cherry, plum and apple trees, have 

 annual!}^ suffered by their depredations ; many other fruit trees 

 and shrubs, garden vegetables and corn, and even the forest trees 

 and grass of tlie field, have been laid under contribution by these 

 indiscriminate feeders." 



Two years ago I became quite alarmed at observing great num- 

 bers in my garden, devouring the leaves upon young apple, cherry 

 and plum trees, and vines. Writers on this subject concur in pro- 

 nouncing the Rose Bug the greatest pest that the fririt grower has 

 to contend with, as they often come in swarms, destroying both 

 foliage and fruit of almost every description. From three to six 

 weeks is the average period of their devastations, commencing 

 about the second week in June. Ashes, plaster, lime and some 

 other common insect remedies, will not destroy them. They are 

 easily caught in the morning or in a dull day, on the leaves — will 

 generally be found in pairs, and a dish of strong soap suds in hand 

 to gather them in is a convenient and sure method of closing up 

 th-eir forage accounts. I am not aware that serious injury of a 

 permanent character has resulted from their operations. 



Varieties Suited to Maine. 



In selecting varieties of cherries for the garden, one should be 

 governed first, second and last, by an intelligent judgment of his 

 needs. A cherry that is good and profitable for family use, would 

 be equally good and profitable to raise for market. \¥hat quali- 

 ties do we want in this fruit? First, hardiness with thrifty 

 growth ; second, such as will suit the average taste, for while 

 some persons prefer the sweet kinds, others would rather have the 

 acid ; third and last, we want prolific varieties so that we may in- 



