INSECT ENEMIES AND PLANT DISEASES 139 



ROTATION, CAREFUL PREPARATION OF THE SEED BED AND 



THOROUGH CULTURE ARE THE BEST MEANS OF 



PREVENTING INSECTS AND DISEASES 



We stated in the chapter on "Rotation of Crops" that 

 crop rotation was worth more than all other methods com- 

 bined in checking insect enemies and plant diseases. "We 

 want to repeat here that the greater part of the injury result- 

 ing from insects and diseases attacking corn can be traced 

 directly to the continuous cropping of corn year after year. 

 The methods we have used in checking these pests on our 

 own farms are crop rotation, thorough and clean culture, 

 and in some cases fall plowing and pasturing with hogs. 

 Various insecticides are practical and helpful to the gardener 

 and orchardist, but in our opinion they are rather too expen- 

 sive for the Corn Belt farmer. Farmers by co-operation can 

 often accomplish more than they could by individual efforts. 

 All toads, most of the snakes and birds, and many of the in- 

 sects are the farmers' friends, and should be protected in 

 every way possible. 



