10 farmers' bulletin 819. 



general recommendations. 



1 



Suckers on plants usually become infested with budworms. When 

 these are removed no care is taken to destroy the infesting larvae. 

 In one case where suckers were being removed and thrown between 

 the rows 55 per cent were found to be infested. Many of these 

 larvae may develop to pupae and later to moths. Suckers should be 

 taken from the fields and burned. 



At the end of the growing season tobacco plants from which the 

 marketable leaves have been removed are often allowed to remain 

 standing in the fields. These provide breeding places for the bud- 

 worms. As soon as possible after harvesting is completed plants 

 should be cut and burned, to destroy the larva and pupae infesting 

 them. This practice has been adopted by some planters who use the 

 ash to good advantage for fertilizer ingredients. 



Where tobacco is grown under cheesecloth, preventive measures 

 against budworm attack may be practiced with a great deal of suc- 

 cess. In such cases care should be taken to patch holes in the cloth. 

 Since it is necessary to provide openings in these shades through 

 which workmen with farm animals and implements may come and 

 go, gates covered with cheesecloth should be provided, and kept 

 closed as much as possible so as to exclude the moths, or adults, of 

 the budworm. 



Plants frequently are left growing within and around old seed 

 beds. These invariably are infested and contribute considerably to 

 the abundance of moths wliich deposit eggs on plants within the fields. 

 Plants about the seed bed should be destroyed therefore as soon as 

 the seed bed is abandoned. 



Seed beds should always be covered and walled in with cloth so as 

 to prevent the entrance of moths. In this way the number of eggs 

 introduced into the fields on the plants will be held to a minimum. 



Because of the nature of attack of this tobacco pest much care is 

 necessary in direct-control practices. Experience has shown that a 

 slight delay in making poison applications often results in great 

 damage to the crop. The necessity of applying the mixture directly 

 to the leaves of the bud can not be too greatly emphasized. The 

 effects of careless manipulation may be almost as bad as if no control 

 measures were attempted. Planters should keep these points clearly 

 in mind because the difference between a valuable tobacco crop and 

 one of less than ordinary quality is often dependent upon the care 

 with which budworm control is practiced. 



Direct control in Florida and Georgia should begin as soon as 

 possible after the plants have become established in the field. Ap- 

 plications of the poison mixture should be made in the buds from 

 then until the plants have been topped. It is of special importance 



