INSECTS AFFECTING GRAINS, GRASSES ETC. 89 



Control. It is evident from their life history that like the 

 white grubs and wireworms, cutworms may be most effectually 

 combated by plowing in late fall and again plowing and har- 

 rowing thoroughly in early spring, so as to keep the land fallow 

 and thus starve them out. Land which is to be planted in 

 corn or crops subject to cutworm injury should be plowed as 

 early as possible in late summer of the preceding year and kept 

 fallow so that the moths will not deposit their eggs upon it, 

 as they will if it is left in grass or weeds. 



Poisoned bran mash (see p. 57) is probably the best thing 

 for destroying cutworms, and if well applied a few days before 

 plants are set or a few days after seed is planted, will often 

 protect crops on infested land. On corn land it may be applied 

 with a seed drill, and in gardens an onion drill is sometimes 

 used in the same way, placing the mash on the surface near 

 the plants; or it may be applied by hand, placing a tablespoonful 

 near each plant or every 2 or 3 feet in the row. Distribute 

 the mash late in the afternoon, so that it will still be moist 

 when the worms feed at dusk. Keep poultry away from fields 

 so treated. Clover which has been thoroughly sprayed or dipped 

 in water containing one-third pound Paris green per barrel may be 

 used in the same way, particularly along the outside of fields 

 to be protected from invasion or along borders of fields next to 

 grass. 



Market gardeners frequently protect cabbage, tomato and 

 similar plants by knocking the bottoms out of tin cans or making 

 cylinders of building paper and placing these around the stems, 

 sinking them into the soil. Where cutworms assume' the climbing 

 habit and attack fruit trees, distribute the bran mash or poisoned 

 clover liberally around the bases of the trees and put a band 

 of tanglefoot around the trunk of each tree, which will prevent 

 their ascent. Thorough cultivation of the orchard and neighbor- 

 ing land will also reduce their numbers. When they assume the 

 migratory habits of army worms, they may be controlled by the 

 same methods as described for them. Garden plants may some- 

 times be protected from cutworms, as well as flea beetles, by dip- 

 ping them in arsenate of lead, 3 pounds per barrel, when planting. 





