32 Alabama Nursery Company, Huntsville, Ala. 
How to Handle the Insect Pests 
We think the few simple remedies suggested will be of interest and value to our cus- 
tomers. If, after treatment as suggested, the trouble does not abate, advise us and we will 
at all times be pleased to help you in any way possible. 
Peach Tree Borer. A small white worm that operates in the root of the tree just 
below or at the surface of the ground. Its presence is usually detected by the appearance 
of a gummy substance around the tree at the ground line. It is well, however, to examine 
all trees in October or November, remove the earth from around the tree with a trowel or 
hoe, and whenever a hole is discovered in the bark, or gum is exuding, the bark should be 
cut away with a sharp knife until the grub or borer is found and destroyed. Sometimes a 
sharp-pointed wire can be used to good advantage, impaling him thereon. Go over the 
trees again the following May or June. This work requires only a few minutes per tree 
twice a year and is of the utmost value. 
Curculio. The insect that attacks the fruit of peach and plum especially. Soon after 
the blossoms fall, a small weevil or beetle, which resembles a pea-bug, stings the fruit, 
laying its eggs therein, and from these eggs a grub soon hatches and the peach becomes 
wormy. The eggs are laid during a considerable period, from two to three weeks, depend- 
ing on the location and the season. The insect is more or less dormant in the cool of the 
morning and will drop when the tree is jarred. A large sheet, covering the spread of the 
top, is laid under the tree and the tree is jarred quickly two or three times, when the insect 
falls, and it is then picked from the sheet and destroyed. This “ bugging ” operation is 
begun early in the morning, usually by five o’clock, and should be started within a week 
after the blossoms fall, and continued two or three weeks, or as long as they are found in 
sufficient quantity to do damage. If they are very abundant the bugging will need to be 
done every morning, but if they are not abundant it may be necessary to go over the trees 
only two or three times a week. After the curculio catch is done, thin the fruit by removing 
all showing the sting of the curculio — and more if trees are too heavily set with fruit. 
Insect Enemies of the R.ose 
Rose Beetle. The most formidable is the rose beetle, which eats its way into the 
petals and buds of the choicest plants. Hand-picking is the only effective remedy, and a 
quart oan half full of kerosene oil is a good place in which to drop the offender. He is 
easily caught when discovered, as he may readily be upon examination of each bud and 
flower. 
Aphis, or Greenfly. This is found on the extreme ends of the shoots and young 
buds, increases with enormous rapidity, and, unless destroyed, robs the plant of its vitality by 
sucking out the sap. A decoction of tobacco stems is made by half filling a barrel with refuse 
stems from a tobacco factory, and filling the barrel with water ; after this has been macer- 
ated, syringe the plants every day with the decoction until the enemy is defeated. 
Slugs. These are usually found on the under side of the leaves and may be discovered 
by the skeletonized appearance of the leaf. To destroy them, make a decoction of powdered 
white hellebore, one heaping tablespoonful to a pail (about four gallons) of boiling water. 
After cooling, apply with a syringe or, better, with a whisk broom. Push the top of the 
plant away with the left hand and, with the broom dipped in the solution, throw the drug up 
and against the leaves. One thorough application will usually suffice. 
Bark Louse, or White Scale. This is usually found on the old wood of the rose plants, 
and can best be treated before the growth begins in the spring. A solution of fifteen grains 
of corrosive sublimate to one pint of water, brushed over the stocks wherever the lice harbor, 
will speedily destroy it. As corrosive sublimate is a very powerful poison, great care should 
be taken in its use. 
