14 Farmers' Bulletin 872. 



Another system is to plant patches of June corn and cowpeas here 

 and there over the plantation following such crops as oats, wheat, 

 and potatoes. This provides a trap crop for the boUworm, results 

 often in a good yield of corn, and in a crop of cowpeas, which is 

 valuable as green manure or for food and forage. 



CONTROL ON TOMATOES. 



li 



The worms usually begin attacking the tomato crop before the 

 fruit is set and continue their work until frost. At first they feed 

 on the tender leaves at the tips and burrow into the stems. Later 

 they attack the buds and flowers, then the small fruits, and continue 

 the damage even when the fruit is ripening. 



The feeding habits of the larvae early in the season render the use ■ 

 of arsenical poisons effective, and as the worms pass from one fruit ■ 

 to another poison will destroy many of them later, but it is not 

 advisable to use poisons later than 10 days before harvesting begins. 

 As the first clusters of tomatoes are of greatest value, especially in 

 the trucking regions of the South, the early use of poisons where 

 bollworms cause trouble undoubtedly would net good returns. 



On tomato lead arsenate should be used rather than Paris green 

 in order to prevent burning. This material may be applied in dust 

 form or as a spray. For the spray about 2 pounds of the lead arse- 

 nate in the paste form or 1 pound of zinc arsenite dissolved in 50 

 gallons of water should be used per acre. The use of about 3 pounds 

 per acre of calcium arsenate or powdered arsenate of lead applied as 

 a dust is recommended. The first application should be made as 

 soon as the moths are observed in the field or injury to the leaves and 

 stalks is noticed, and succeeding treatments should follow at about 

 weekly intervals. If fungicides (such as Bordeaux mixture) are used 

 against diseases of the tomato, the arsenical may be added to these. 



While some are averse to using poisons on crops of this kind, 

 no injurious effects are likely to occur, especially if the applications 

 are discontinued some time before picking begins. The early treat- 

 ments are most effective, as at this time the worms are not feeding 

 within the large tomatoes and are thus most easily reached. 



COKN AS A TRAP CROP TO PROTECT TOMATOES. 



The principle of trapping described for the protection of cotton 

 can be utilized in controlling the bollworm on tomatoes. It is ad- 

 visable, however, to modify it somewhat. As the moths deposit eggs 

 on the plants during a considerable period, it is desirable to have 

 corn in silk and tassel from the time the fruit begins to set on the 

 tomatoes until harvesting is over. It is advisable to use small areas 

 immediately adjacent to tomato patches and plant portions of these 



