22 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO VEGETABLES 



treating lawns infested by army worms, and root webworms, 

 consists in going over them thoroughly with a long-toothed 

 steel rake. 



CLEAN FARMING METHODS 



The most valuable of all methods of controlling destructive 

 insects, if we except the employment of insecticides, consists in 

 the observance of clean cultural practice, and when with this 

 we combine the judicious use of other methods, including me- 

 chanical ones, only moderate use of poisons, employed at the 

 proper time, is necessary. It is a more or less complete safe- 

 guard against the bulk of insects that ravage our crops. 



Clean farming should always be practiced in the growing of 

 crops that are liable to severe insect injury. Where the char- 

 acter of a crop will permit, still more can be accomplished by 

 using portions of the same or a similar crop as baits. In ad- 

 dition, it is also desirable to employ as trap crops such weeds as 

 the insects normally affect and w^hich already grow in the fields, 

 while in many cases it has been found of value to plant weeds 

 or other crop plants to lure the insects from the main crop. 

 Clean methods of management, though indicated as protective 

 against most insects, is a practical necessity where there are 

 many species that injure fall crops, such as cabbage, turnip and 

 other crucifers, and for such insects as pass the winter in rub- 

 bish in the fields that they have ravaged. 



FARM INSPECTION 



An old proverb, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of 

 cure," is as applicable to man in relation to insects which injure 

 his crops as to other matters which affect his well-being. Eter- 

 nal vigilance is also the price of a good crop. The fact that 

 the greatest injury due to such insects as army worms, cut- 

 worms, blister beetles and the like is accomplished before their 

 presence is known, indicates the value of prompt action in the 

 treatment of the crops affected. Too frequently attack is un- 



