New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-27
THE NEW-JBRSEY ROSEBU0.

New-Yorl is not the only State with an official
entOmologist. Indeed, State Entomologists are
common, but owing to the nature Of their labors
they do not attract the public attention which
falls TO the Governor and some other officials
Surrounded by microscopes, specimens of bugs,
both living and dried, and scrap-books containing
the important articles the subject of insects
which have appeared in The Tribune from time
to time, the State Entomologist passes his days in
secusion, knowing nothing of political wranges
and party strife, but doing much more real good
than nine tenths Of the State officers who are in
the public eye and whose every action attracts the
attention of the multitude The Governor yetoes
o bad measure and the fact is heralded the length
and breadth of the State, but the entomologist
may the same day exterminate bug which would
have done much more damage than the measure
and it is scarcely mentioned. Still the entomolo-
gist never complains All Of which, though not
what we started to say, may not be altogether
out OF place In referring to the recent report OF
State EntomOlOgist Smith. Of New-Jersey, on the
rosebug tmacrodactylus subspinosa We no not
remember to have had the pleasure, previous 10
this, of speaking OF Professor Smith or his in
valuable work for New-Jersey, though for a long
time we have stood shoulder to shoulder with our
own eutomologist, DR.. Iintner. Fighting together,
many insects dangerous to agriculture have bit
the dust while others have died a less violent
death. We welcome Professor Smith to our ranks
We are sorry to say, however. that the pro-
fess0r's report on the rosebug Is far from en-
couratdng. We gather that 1t looks dark for the
rose crop next year Jersey farmers would do
we'll to put In more potatoes next season and
fewer roses. The professor tells us in his report
that the vicious little insect caused much damage
this season." and he finds the earth filled with
larvhe Of these beetles everywhere They ore
now about three inches from the surface, and are
rapidly working downward. their idea being to
get below the reach of the frost and come up
in the spring as soon as roses are big enough
to eat. Professor Smith scarcely knows what to
do. We may call his attention to the success
which DR.. Lintner had in this State this season
with the Australian lsdybug In combating the
icer) Or scale insect Whether or not the
ladytns could be trained to hunt the rosebur
| we do not know. but we are certain that DR..
Lintner would send Professor Smith a few for
trial II he were asked, as he has q large kennel
at Albany. We sincerely hope that some way
will be discovered before next season to stay the
ravages Of this bug on the jersey rose crop.
We can think of few sadder sights than that Of q
Nepw-Jerssy farmer who, after driving blithely
TO his Geld to now his roses. finds that the rose
bug has anticipated him, and that his rose crop
| II y fAilure.
Binoe writing the above we have consulted the
dictionary, and find that the rosebug not only
sstaon tho rosebush, but the grapevine % we'll,
aza frequently fruit trecs. garden veRetAbles and