12 BULLETIN 90, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
that it might be ascertained if other species would also be conimonly 
reared. 
Although the ladybird Eippodamia ambigua Lee. was observed 
during the entire time occupied by the observations on the rose aphis, 
it occurred in small numbers, and on only one or two occasions did it 
seem to be feeding on Macrosiphum rosse. 
DISEASE. 
On March 14, 1910, after a night of rain, one winged and two 
wingless aphides were found enlarged to fully five times their regular 
size, as if bloated. This was probably due to a fungous disease. 
EXPERIMENTS WITH REMEDIES. 
The abundance of the rose aphis is so marked in many years that 
frequently almost daily complaints of damage are made in the Dis- 
trict of Columbia and vicinity. Wherever it has been convenient or 
desirable to eradicate this species on small acreages of plants, water, 
applied with a garden hose or syringe, has been the remedy employed, 
not alone by the writer but by many persons resident in Washington. 
Indeed this treatment, which consists in directing a forcible stream 
of water against the affected portions of the plants has been one of 
the standard remedies advised. Experiments have been made by 
Dr. F. H. Chittenden, by Mr. C. H. Popenoe, and by Mr. A. B.Duckett, 
all in the District of Columbia and vicinity . In other regions, Mr. W. B. 
Parker has undertaken experiments with nicotine sulphate, and the 
writer has conducted quite a series of experiments with the same 
compound. Among other compounds used by Messrs. Chittenden and 
Popenoe for this species are aphis punk and other nicotine papers, 
always with gratifying success. While treating other forms of insects 
on roses, such as " slugs" and thrips, the aphides were always the 
first to perish. 
EXPERIMENTS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND VICINITY. » 
On March 28, 1913. at Washington, D. C, four rosebushes in the 
greenhouse, well infested by the rose aphis, were sprayed with " black- 
leaf 40," a preparation guaranteed to contain 40 per cent of nicotine 
sulphate, in combination with whale-oil soap in the following formula: 
Nicotine sulphate ounce. . \ 
Whale-oil soap pound . . \ 
Water gallons. . 2\ 
Although the solution slightly injured the terminal buds and the 
tender shoots, the results were all that could be expected, 100 per 
cent of the aphides being killed. It is believed that the solution 
could have been reduced 25 per cent in strength with equally good 
results. 
i Bv A. B. Duckett. 
