CHAPTER VI 

 INSECT ENEMIES AND FUNGOUS DISEASES 



STRONG, healthy plants are much more apt to be immune from 

 disease than their weaker brothers. By providing that care and 

 attention which will create a flourishing growth in plants, there is a 

 good chance for a clean bill of health. But trouble will sometimes come, 

 appearing suddenly when least expected. In some cases, much of the 

 disaster is done before the presence of the enemy is realized. By un- 

 derstanding the nature and symptoms of trouble, it is possible to give 

 prompt and efficient treatment. 



In combating pests and diseases, the one wise course is, first, to 

 determine the nature of the trouble, and second, to use the proper 

 materials and methods for effective results. There is no cure-all treat- 

 ment applicable to all troubles. 



The enemies of plants are of two sorts, insects which feed upon 

 the substance of plants, and fungi. The insects are more easily recog- 

 nized and combated than fungi, for a fungous disease comes from the 

 growth of invisible spores and generally its victim is fatally stricken 

 when the presence of the disease becomes known. 



INSECTS 



When insects attack, the first thing to do is to determine whether 

 they are of the sucking or chewing kind. The biting insects are easily 

 recognized, if they are carefully observed, as their jaws can be seen 

 to work and there will be tell-tale holes in their path. Many of the 

 beetles, weevils, grasshoppers, all true locusts and most larval forms 

 (commonly known as worms, grubs and maggots) belong to the class 

 of chewing pests. 



The sucking insects have a sucking beak which they thrust down 

 into the plant wherever they can easily suck out the vital plant juices. 

 The injury they do is not so apt to be apparent for some time and for 

 this reason they are likely to do a great deal of harm before being 

 noticed. All true bugs, all the scale insects, and all the plant lice, or 

 aphids, belong to this class of sucking insects. 



