The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-06-21
TERRIBLE INSECT
PEST in HIGHLAND.
The Dreaded Rose Bug Makes
Its Annual Appearance and
Is Very Destructive.
fspecial TO The Times-Dlspatch

3t5st5 Especial to Inc I1fneS-1JlspdlCii1
MONTERREY, VA, June U.--Thc rose-
bug, which has during recent years be-
conc terrible pest and scourge IN
Highland county, has made It's annual
appea rance. and the unequal warfare be-
tween the fruit grower and this count
less army OF destructive insects Is ION.
AS n result, perhaps. OF tho cold, late
season, these pests were overdue, ana tne
hope is entertained that their stay WIN
be shorter and the territory covered less
extensive than usual.
So mucfsdreaded are they by Highland
,eopIe and so familiar have We become
with their habits and customs. that their
presence at a known point is first antici-
pated, and the progress of their march
and spread can be calculated with re-
markable accuracy.
..rhe rose bug comes the first OF June,
The June-bug comes In May.
The bed-bug takes his bonnet OIL
And says. I've come to stay;
is bit Of doggerel which the average 4
Highlander does not have to recall in
order to refresh his memory as to the
time when this DESTROYER Is likely 70
Ma ke his appearance for With the awful
certainty and promptness OF tax-coi-
Iestor he makes his approach with the
first warm days OF the month OF roses.
With Highland people his name OF rose
hug" is little short OF mlsnomer, lor
he has widened his sphere or action untii
everything In the line OF small trult M
become his prey. and, In some commune
Ties rrapeE, plums, damsons and peaches
aro24 I,1x,lries which arc only enjoyed BY
q few who resort 10 tho greatest pains
liking and most persistent warfare our
ing their destrucsive reign.
a Hiehland man who recently made
visit to Warren county, upon inquiry
~
learned that the rose-bug was unknown IN
,hat county. and it is SO In many other
,o,,y,ties Hence the wonder here. from
whence do they come, and whittier go
M thew hibernate or migrate? II SO.
from whence. to where. whittier!
Mr. s. Sulenberger. one of the Oldest
aud most observing citizens. who recalls
Ihe no distant day when their depreda-
,ions we're confined to the roses. informs
vclr correspondent that some ten years
ago he CHANGED to be along the little
straar m north of town, known as Burners
pun when he discovered what he chose
~ designate "den'' of these Insects.
-. first noticed some on the leaves OF a
scrnb oak, and observing still greater
quantities on the trunk OF the tree, ne
became interested and carried the lnVes-
tioa tion until he discovered millions OF
them issuing from huge stone-plie
along the banks of the creek be saw no
trace of them elsewhere, but the foiloW-
ing day they made their appearance on
Cemetery sHill from which elevation they
swoo ped down upon the village and it Is
I noteworthy fact that the bugs invaria-
bly approach from that direction year
after year.
n Tho only successful method Of combat
,nr them is the troublesome and expen-
siye one OF yelling the vines and small
trees Insect powders have no terroEs
! Il = - .rHpf = mi
snraving is effective. one grower OF the
county having killed fine young orchard
Of peach trees In an effort TO poison
the bugs. fd4 aGgS q