A gummer roll apparatus preferably for applying gum to envelopes during continuous processing and operation of a gumming machine, has a pick-up roll, a meter roll and a transfer roll that transfers a gum or adhesive such as latex to a gummer roll. The pick-up roll and meter roll rotate in opposite directions and are in a skidding-like contact due to different rotational speeds whereby excess gum or adhesive is removed from the pick-up roll and returned to a gum box or trough with a minimum of foaming in the gum box and on the pick up roll.