28 THE BOOK OF VEGETABLES 



plants while the dew is on. Repeat whenever larvae 

 reappear. (4) In hot weather, shake or brush the larvae 

 from the plants; they will die on the hot earth. (5) 

 Against twelve -spotted beetle, pick off the young 

 berries and burn. 



The lady-bug, the two soldier-bugs, and various 

 wasps and dragon-flies, prey on the common beetle. 

 The Asparagus fly, a European pest, has not yet 

 appeared here. 



For the Asparagus Miner, which works underground, 

 no remedy is as yet known. The pest does no great 

 harm. 



Storing of Asparagus may be done by canning or 

 by drying. Can as directed in the cook-books. Stalks 

 of uniform sizes may be strung and hung in the sun, or 

 dried over the stove. Keep in a dry place, and when 

 wanted for use soak and cook. 



AUBERGINE. See Eggplant. 



BALM (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial plant, raised 

 from seed, slips or root-divisions, and grown for its 

 leaves, which are used in seasoning and for scents, 

 and for Balm tea and Balm wine. The taste is like 

 lemon. 



Soil should best be light and warm. 



Sow in spring in seed-bed, thinly, one-half to one 

 inch deep, and transplant to one by two feet. Or sow 



