the remedy is applied after the damage is thoroughly done 
and then the discouraged gardener loses faith in sprays and 
human nature as well, when if the trouble had been anticipated 
or at least detected immediately upon its appearance much 
unhappiness and disappointment would have been avoided. 
Melrosinb Melrosine — a comparatively new spray for Roses has had 
its share of criticism from Garden Club Members this season. 
Inasmuch as I recommended its use last spring I feel I musl 
defend it from these onslaughts. In Michigan we are not 
cursed with rose bugs, so I cannot sympathize with the Long- 
Islanders as I should, but correspondence with the manufac- 
turers brings out the following facts: In the first place, 
ilelrosine is a contact insecticide^it is not a preventative, 
but a remedy. It kills the rose bugs only when they appear, 
and v/hen all the rose bugs at a given time are killed, that does 
not prevent the appearance of new bugs, either from out of 
the ground or by emigration from surrounding territory. It 
should, therefore, be used daily during the rose bug season, as 
called for in the directions, or at least frequently enough to 
keep the number of the bugs down to a minimum. Secondly, 
the use of adequate spraying apparatus is very important, as 
the spray must be sufficiently fine and have a good pressure. 
This again is because Melrosine is a contact insecticide, and it is 
necessary to hit each bug in order to be effective. Thirdly, Mel- 
rosine should be used during simny hours. This is because exper- 
ience has shown that at this time the rosebug is least resistant, and 
therefore, most easily killed. Care must be taken to have the 
spraying apparatus clean, so as not to leave any remnants of 
other insecticides which might interfere with the working 
of the Melrosine. The directions also advise that Melrosine 
should first be sprayed lightly on the flowers themselves to drive 
tlie bugs from their hiding places, and that then the whole plant 
should be sprayed copiously, and with sufficient force to' hit and 
wet the bugs. 
If any of our members still feel unconvinced of its merits, I 
suggest they write to Mr. Plugli B. Barclay, Narberth, Pa,., the 
inventor, who would be glad to go thoroughly into the matter 
^vith any conscientious gardeners who feel they have given it a 
fair, if unsuccessful trial. 
The fol]o^\ang letter, from Mr. J. Horace McFarland, 
President of the American Rose Society, speaks many good words 
for Melrosine. 
' ' Having had a try-out of the substance now called Melrosine 
before it was put on the market, I was impressed by the fact 
that it really did kill rosebugs, and I don't know anything 
else that will do the same service without also killing the 
Roses. Then later, after it had been introduced, I saw it being 
effectively used not only to put the rose bugs out of business on 
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