174 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



with a small row of straw strewn between the potato rows, and 

 setting on fire after the Blister beetles have been driven into it. 



(e.) Cucurbitaceous, or Viniug Vegetables. — In vines of squash 

 and pumpkin the squash borer has been very destructive, and it re- 

 quires a combination of methods to combat this, such as are given 

 in our Special Bulletin, No. 91, upon the insects destructive to these 

 plants. The Stinking Squash bug was not destructive in our State 

 last year, although three years ago it was so abundant in most 

 of the Eastern States that even the regular pickle growers could 

 not produce pickles for their canneries. Its absence is due to para- 

 sites which destroy it. The Striped Cucumber Beetles or Bugs 

 were very injurious in the early spring, as usual, and the best truck 

 growers kept them out by using air-slaked lime and turpentine 

 dusted over and around the hills of plants. Some secured absolute 

 immunity by covering their plants with mosquito netting in addi- 

 tion to the lime and turpentine. The larva of this beetle feeds upon 

 the roots of the plants which the adult infests, and these are to 

 be prevented by the use of powdered tobacco in the hill. 



(f.) Asparagus. — The Asparagus beetle is become more destruc- 

 tive every year, and its range is extending. It is not yet found in all 

 of the counties of our State, and asparagus growers should meet 

 it with prompt measures. Air-slaked lime should be dusted upon 

 the worms or larvie where they occur, and a few plants may be 

 left at one side to treat with a spray of some arsenite. The adults 

 can be driven from one portion of the patch or field to another by 

 sowing over them air-slaked lime to which a little turpentine has 

 been added. 



(g.) On Cabbage. — The Green Cabbage worm, or larva of the 

 Cabbage butterfly, has not been more destructive than usual, be- 

 cause gardeners are learning to combat it by using paris green 

 before the heads are half -grown, and by wood-ashes, pyrethrum or 

 hellebore, later. 



(h.) On Celery. — The Celery Caterpillar, which is the larva of a 

 large black and yellow butterfly, has been found doing some dam- 

 age, and reported to us. This is so large and consiucuous that it 

 can readily be found and removed by hand. 



(i.) Upon Pomaceous Fruits: Apple, Pear and Quince. — The chief 

 pest of the year was the San Jos^ Scale, which has also infested 

 other fruit trees. This is treattnl in detail in the various issues 

 of our monthly bulletin. The pest has increased to such an ex- 

 tent that it is now found in almost every county in the State, and 

 is killing many thousands of trees. It is important that the Legis- 

 lature ])rovide us with funds for combatting this worst pest of the 

 fruit interests of our country. 



The Codling Moth was not destructive in those orchards that 

 were properly treated, but it was conspicuous in those orchards 



