132 THE GRAPE IN KANSAS. 



There are a number of remedies recommended for the rose-chafer, but I know 

 of none better or more effectual than that of catching them by hand and killing 

 them. They can be caught very rapidly by taking a large cup or basin, with a 

 little water in it, and holding it under the insect; giving the cluster of flowers a 

 slight jar, the bugs will immediately let go their hold and fall into the dish. 

 When a quantity have been caught, throw them into fire, or pour hot water upon 

 them. I have followed this simple plan for several years, and though I have not 

 been able to annihilate them, their numbers have not increased. 



VINE SCALE. 



The vine scale (Coccus vites) is occasionally met, but it is not common. To 

 the unassisted eye it appears to be nothing more than a small scale, without the 

 least appearance of life. The scale is the shell or covering of a very minute in- 

 sect that pierces the bark of the young shoots and sucks its juices. A strong so- 

 lution of potash (say one pound dissolved in two gallons of water) will quickly 

 destroy them. It is well to wash the stems of all vines in gardens with potash 

 water every winter, as it would destroy insects that make their nests in the crevi- 

 ces of the bark. That portion of the solution that falls upon the ground is not 

 wasted, because it furnishes the vine with potash, which is one of the most valu- 

 able ingredients of all fertilizers. There are several other species of vine scale or 

 Coccus which may be occasionally found. The Coccus adonidum , or mealy bug, 

 sometimes attacks the vine when grown under glass, but it generally confines it- 

 self to other plants. Diluted soft soap, or potash dissolved in water, will usually 

 destroy all kinds of vine scale. 



