1880-06-28 Letter: Fred W. Kelsey to J. W. Lovering, "advise on Rose Slugs," 2014.020.004-011

Subject: Advise on Rose slugs

[letterhead: Fred W. Kelsey, IMPORTER AND DEALER IN FINE NURSERY STOCK, ROCHESTER, N.Y. New York Office, 208 Broadway, June 28 1880]

J.W.Lovering Esq Cambridge

My Dear Sir -

In looking over notes on Roses I find the following recommended by a writer in the Country Gentleman as being the best remedy yet discovered for the Rose slugs - "Add to 1 pail water a half pint of soft soap and four (4) ounces White Heellebore - apply every morning with syringe on underside of leaves" - This I have known to be used with best results, Many use whale oil soap - one pound soap to eight gallons water applied at night every two or three days bushes being throughly soaked drenched each application.

It is terribly hot & dry here, full as bad or worse than with you -

If you were having trees or shrubs would it not be as well for them to Come in this Fall, when I can get you better stock than in Spring I see you have nothing ordered for Fall - I should like to send you some of the choice Lilies in my collection as the are very fine & would be appreciate by all -- yours very truly Fred W Kelsey