246 On the destruction of the Slug, 



the plant. This, we believe, has been fully effected] by the 

 remedy which Mr. Haggerston suggests in his letter. So far as 

 we have tried experiments, we have found it effectual. It will 

 receive, however, further attention, the subject having been re- 

 ferred to the Committee on Flowers, who are to report to the 

 Society, after having satisfied themselves that it will fully de- 

 stroy the insect. 



Mr. Haggerston, thus far, is the only competitor for the 

 premium. Yet we think it doubtful whether any one else 

 will contend with him, as no method could be easier or 

 cheaper, it being within the means of every one who can pur- 

 chase a few pounds of soap, (costing a few cents,) and a 

 water pot. 



We would also call the attention of our friends to the re- 

 marks of Mr. Haggerston in relation to the value of the whale 

 oil soap in killing that destructive little insect the thrips, or 

 vine-fretter, commonly called: within a year or two they have 

 so rapidly increased, that they have been almost as injurious 

 to the rose bush as the slug. The solution is certain death 

 to them as soon as it touches them. The aphides, or green 

 lice, so troublesome, and withal such dirty insects, are no less 

 summarily dispatched. Indeed, we consider Mr. Hagger- 

 ston's discovery as one of the most valuable which has been 

 made for a long time, and if the premium were ten times the 

 amount, he would have fully deserved it. Great credit is due 

 to him for his exertions in endeavoring to find some method 

 of killing the slug, and the great number of experiments he 

 instituted for this purpose, before he could accomplish his 

 object. 



His field of experiments was large, and he was desirous, as 

 well as his liberal employer, to get rid of an insect which had 

 become so numerous that it was no satisfaction to cultivate a 

 collection of roses, to be thus destroyed. We congratulate 

 the floricultural vi^orld that this obstacle to the general cultiva- 

 tion of so lovely a flower as the rose is removed, and that we 

 may hereafter see it flourishing in all its splendor. — Ed-I 



To the President of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Sir: — Having discovered a cheap and effectual mode of 

 destroying the rose slug, I wish to become a competitor for 

 the premium offered by the INTassachusetts Horticultural So- 

 ciety. 



