2G6 Report of the Entomologists of the 



leave a few of the plants for the beetles to work upon, especially 

 during the period while the first fruit is setting on the cucvunbers; 

 the reason for this being that the beetles prefer the flowers of the 

 squash to those of the cucumber. 



Although not absolutely necessary, I would recommend that the 

 cucumbers be sprayed at least three times with Bordeaux mixture ; 

 the first spraying being made as soon as the seed leaves are ex- 

 posed, the second, when the third true leaf is exhibited and the 

 last, just before the plants commence to vine. Each grower must 

 use his own judgment as to the time of these applications. If the 

 vines have an early start, and the beetles appear on the field late 

 in the season, the spraying will have to be carried along later. 

 The cost of three applications of the Bordeaux mixture will not 

 exceed $2.00 per acre; whereas the cost of wire covers would be 

 $40.00 per acre and probably they will not last over three years. 

 The treatment with Bordeaux mixture not only makes the vines 

 distasteful to the striped cucumber beetle and to the flea beetle, 

 but also protects the vines from anthracnose and various other 

 diseases to which they are subject. Finally, I would recommend 

 the use of Bordeaux mixture in small gardens after the covers are 

 removed. 



Those who cannot afford spraying outfits can use air-slaked lime 

 in connection with covers and squashes, as this will make the cu- 

 cumber vines unpalatable to the beetles, but it must be remem- 

 bered that lime is liable to stunt the plants. 



In conclusion, it must be borne in mind, that neither Bordeaux 

 mixture nor air-slaked lime will give absolute protection to the 

 vines if the beetles can find no other food plants which they prefer 

 to feed upon. 



repellants and drivers. 



Other remedies in large number have been recommended. 

 Some of them give partial relief, but in most cases their success 

 depends upon the habit of the beetles of being easily frightened 

 away from the plants, especially after they have commenced to 



