New Yoek Agkicultural Experiment Station. 263 



cloth are tacked to the edges of the boards; short cleats nailed to 

 the boards are inserted into the ground and hold the boards on 

 edge and the free edges of the cloth are covered with dirt. 



During 1898, Mr. John O'Donnell, a market gardener of the 

 Borough of Queens, tried the six-inch wire plate-covers on a large 

 scale as sho^vn in Plate XVIII. These cost two cents apiece when 

 bought by the thousand ; the cost per acre for first year being a 

 trifle over $40.00. These covers are provided with a tin margin 

 which is very convenient for forcing them into the soil, thus keep- 

 ing the beetles from working under them. This style of cover 

 answered very nicely until the plants were up but, like all covers 

 they have the disadvantage of protecting the vines only while 

 coming through the ground. If left over the vines too long, the 

 latter are liable to become drawn and weak. At best there is 

 danger when the covers are removed that a heavy wind will in- 

 jure the vines to such an extent that they will never recover. Be- 

 sides, all covers have the disadvantage when used alone, of not 

 only giving the beetles a feeding place, but a breeding place when 

 removed. 



TIME OF PLANTING. 



Growers who raise cucumbers for pickling purposes practice 

 late planting; planting for this purpose during the last week in 

 June and the first week in July and thus avoiding the ravages of 

 the beetles during their spring feeding period. During the past 

 few years, the ravages of the cucumber mildew on the late crop has 

 made it desirable, on the part of pickle growers, to plant earlier. 

 Furthermore, in preparing a grade of pickles known as " dills " 

 an early pickle is preferred. Mr. Chittenden^^ states than in some 

 sections planting in frames and hot houses, and transplanting to 

 the field is advisable. By planting in the field as early as pos- 

 sible, and following the directions given under the head of " Trap- 

 crops," the use of covers for melons and cucumbers can usually be 

 avoided. 



15 U. S. Dept. Agr., Div. Ent., Circ. No. 31, 2d ser. 



