25 



IX. Insect Pests. 



The two most destructive pests that prey upon the to- 

 hacco plant after being transplanted to the field are the "cut 

 worm" and the "horn worm'', as shown by figure 9. 



fiiiiKE y 



The cut worm commences its work of destruction in a 

 few hours after transplanting in the field. 



During the night this worm begins by eating oft' the 

 «mall or central leaves, and often so eftectually as to de- 

 stroy the plant. The best time to find and destroy these 

 pests is early in the morning, when they can be found 

 nearer the surface; with the heat of the sun they burrow 

 -deeper in the soil. 



Soon after they disappear, the fight with the horn worm 

 commences. 



