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5 
PREVENTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES. 
This borer is an exceptionally difficult insect to control, as ordinary 
insecticides are of no value after the insect has once entered the vines, 
and repellents are also practically useless. We are, therefore, depend- 
ent upon cultural methods for relief. 
‘Knowing that the insect passes the winter in the fields which it has 
ravaged, it should be superfluous to caution growers against planting 
squashes in the same ground in successive years. 
Early squashes as traps.—Good results have been obtained by plant- 
ing as a trap crop and as early as possible a few summer squashes, 
such as crooknecks and early cymlings, before and between rows of 
the main crop of late varieties. The summer squashes attract the 
insects in such numbers as to leave a smaller number to deal with 
upon the late or main crop. As soon as the early crop is gathered, or 
earlier if the ground is needed for the main crop, the vines are promptly 
raked up and burned to destroy all eggs and larve which they may 
-harbor, and the same treatment is followed after gathering the late 
varieties. This method, according to Dr. J. B. Smith, has proved 
profitable where used in New Jersey, and should produce good results 
farther north. Southward, where two well-defined broods appear, it 
might not be so productive of good, but it should be given a thorough 
test. 
Fall harrowing and deep spring plowing.—Experiments conducted 
by Mr. F. A. Sirrine, of the New York Agricultural Experiment Station 
at Geneva, N. Y., show that this species can be greatly reduced by 
lightly harrowing the surface of infested squash fields in the fall so as 
to bring the cocoons of the vine borer to the surface, where they will 
be exposed to the elements, and then plowing in the spring to a uni- 
form depth of at least 6 inches, so that the adults will not be able to 
issue. 
Other cultural methods.—When the vines have attained some length 
parts of them should be covered over with earth, so that secondary roots 
will be sent out to support the plants in case the main root is injured 
by the borer. Keeping the plants in good condition, free from other 
insects and from disease, and well nourished with the assistance of 
manure or other fertilizer if necessary, will also aid the plants to with- 
stand borer attack. When vines are so badly infested as to be incapa- 
ble of bearing fruit they usually die at once, and they should then be 
promptly taken out and burned. The old vines should also be 
destroyed as soon as the crop is made. 
Cutting out the borers.—The old-time remedy of cutting the borers 
out of the vines, although laborious, is useful, and about the only 
method open for employment after they have entered the vines. As 
several individuals often infest a single vine, it is best to cut longitudi- 
(Cir. 38] 
