520 Bulletin 78. 



well-known Red Spider so common on house plants. In 1887, this 

 little mite, which would escape detection except by the keenest 

 eyes, was found in Michigan sucking the eggs laid by the Cabbage 

 Fly. It was found that three of the mites would suck, on an 

 average 28 eggs every day. No similar observations have since 

 been recorded. 



Thus, in this country, man is aided in his warfare against this 

 most formidable cabbage pest by the chickens, by at least two 

 common and widely distributed foes among its own kind as the 

 Staphylinid beetle and the little Hymenopterous parasite, and by 

 a mite. However, these foes apparently have not yet gained 

 sufficient strength to effectively check the Cabbage Root Maggot 

 in its destructive work. The time may come when the balance 

 of nature will turn in favor of these little foes. Thus the gardener 

 needs to be acquainted with these little friends of his that he may 

 protect them whenever they are found '* lending a hand." 



METHODS OF PREVENTING THE RAVAGES OF THIS 



PEST. 



About 70 different methods have been recommended for com- 

 bating this pest. Our experiments and a study of recorded exper- 

 iments, lead us to believe that only 6 of these need be, at present, 

 seriously considered by gardeners. They are therefore discussed 

 first, in large type, as the Effective methods, two of which act as 

 preventives, and the others are used to destroy the insect. 



We group 9 of the proposed methods as Doubtful, or Partially 

 Effective ; 3 of these are preventives of attack, and 6 act 

 destructively. 



The remaining methods, about 50 in number, we class as Inef- 

 fective, or Impracticable methods, about one half of which are 

 supposed to be preventive in their action, and the others destruc- 

 tive. Some of these deserve further notice by future experimenters. 



This full discussion of all methods recommended to combat this 

 pest will enable gardeners and others to decide what not to use, 

 what is worthy of a trial, and what methods have been found practi- 

 cable and effective. 



