202 ANNUAL REPORT 



DiERffl PAPERS Al WORTS. 



INSECT ENEMIES OF THE STRAWBERRY. 



By R. J. MendenhaIjL, of Minneapolis. 



That the strawberry is the king of berries does not admit of ques- 

 tion. Its flavor, its fragrance, its beauty, its diffusion, its hardiness 

 and adaptability to various soils and climates combine to render it 

 the berry of berries — the cosmopolite of fruits. The demand for 

 this fruit for canning and other preserves, as well as for use in its 

 fresh state, is increasing year by year, and as a consequence, its 

 production has become one of the most lucrative branches of horti- 

 cultural business. 



The culture of the strawberry is simple and easily learned. It 

 is not a capricious or exacting plant, and yet there is such a large 

 element of uncertainty in its development as to deter many from 

 undertaking it on a paying scale. This uncertainty is not due to 

 the elements. Droughts and winter-killing and even the untimely 

 late spring frosts may be guarded against; but who can tell when 

 or from what quarter to defend the plants from destructive insects? 

 It is to the latter almost solely that failure and discouragement are 

 due. 



Our first duty then is to unmask these insidious enemies; to learn 

 what sort of uniform they wear, what weapons they use and at 

 what season of the year they open their attacks upon our earth 

 works. It is only by means of accurate knowledge on these points 

 that we can hope to cope with themaad obtain an adequate return 

 for labor and capital invested. 



