REPORT OF THE SOCIETY 103 



ducts and the waste places which are breeding places for many injurious 

 insects, (b.) It means the adoption of deep, late fall plowing under certain 

 conditions, which practice is one of the best methods of dealing with wire- 

 worms, white grubs, cutworms and grasshoppers, (c.) It means high fer- 

 tility of soil, and good drainage of the land so that vigorous healthy plants, 

 capable of resisting the drains of insect attacks, are grown instead of poorly 

 nourished plants which are more likely to succumb. 



Timely plowing, planting, and harvesting are often effective against 

 some of the worst insects of the farm. For example, two or three fall plow- 

 ings destroy large numbers of maturing wireworms and white grubs; early 

 plowing of grass in August destroys the eggs and larvae of cutworms and 

 grasshoppers. Late sowing of fall wheat prevents Hessian Fly injury; 

 and early cutting of the first crop of clover destroys the first brood of the 

 Clover Seed Midge, and thus saves the clover seed of the later crop. 



The destruction of rubbish, screenings, stubble, dead stalks and weeds 

 deprives many hibernating insects of resting or breeding places. Such 

 insects are Hessian Fly "flax seed," Chinch Bug, Clover Hay Worm, 

 Tarnished Plant Bug, Squash Bug, Stalk Borers, etc. 



Cutworms endeavor to lay their eggs in August-September on weeds 

 and grasses. If the land is kept free from weeds and the grass is fed or 

 mown few cut-worms will appear the following spring. 



The application of fertilizers is often advantageous in forcing the growth 

 of plants that are attacked, and in repelling insects. Kainit, nitrate of 

 potash, barnyard manure, wood-ashes, and tobacco dust are said to be 

 effective. 



3. Co-operative Measures. — Co-operation among the farmers of a dis- 

 trict is required for the successful control of certain insects such as the Hes- 

 sian Fly, the Pee Weevil, the Codling Moth, the San Jose Scale, the Plum 

 Curculio, the Apple Maggot, Grasshoppers and many others. 



4. Natural Enemies of Insects. — (a.) Farmers and fruit-growers can 

 do much to encourage the presence of insectivorous birds among the crops. 

 These birds are most important in keeping injurious insects under control. 



(b.) Frequently, too, hogs and poultry can be utilized to advantage 

 in destroying white grubs, cutworms, grasshoppers, asparagus beetles, 

 etc., in infested fields. 



(c.) Lady-bird beetles, ground beetles, and other predaceous insects 

 should be protected as far as possible. 



