2C2 Report of the Entomologists of the 



by poisoning: First, just previous to the time when the beetles 

 commence to pair, and second, during a short period in September 

 and October. Poisoning during the latter period is effective only 

 on areas where fall-flowering weeds are scarce. 



Spraying cucumber and melon vines with Paris green and water 

 has often been recommended. Tests during the past two years 

 show that very few beetles are killed by this method and that the 

 risk of killing the vines is too great to allow the measure to be 

 recommendod for general use. Instead, I would recommend the 

 use of the poisoned bait which is given under " Trap crops." 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES. 

 coverings. 



One of the oldest methods of keeping the beetles from the small 

 plants is the use of covers. As near as I can determine, this 

 method was first used by Dr. Fitch,^^ who in 18G5 claims to have 

 used the method for twenty years previous to the time it was 

 published. According to Dr. Harris^^ the use of covers was 

 published in the New England Farmer previous to 1852. The 

 cover recommended by Dr. Fitch was, apparently, a crude affair, 

 while that recommended by Mr. Levi Bartlett in the New England 

 Farmer, as quoted by Dr. Harris, was apparently just as handy 

 and simple as those recommended in 1889, forty years later, by 

 Professor Weed.^^ 



The styles cf covers recommended v-aiy from an ordinary box 

 open at top and bottom, the top being covered with cheese cloth 

 or with millinet, to patented wire covers which are costly. The 

 least expensive forms are the box just mentioned; wire or staves 

 bent in a half circle, the ends stuck into the ground over the vines 

 and then covered with cloth, which is held in place by placing dirt 

 along on the edges; and lastly, a box made from two short boards 

 six inches wide and a rectangular cloth. The two ends of the 



12 Tenth Eeport on Noxious and Other Insects of the State of N. Y.: 440. 



13 Insects Injurious to Vegetation: 125. Flint's ed., 1852.) 



14 Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 13: 146-147. 



