438 PESTS. 



first commences its work of destruction in a few hours after 

 transplanting in the field. During the night it begins by 

 eating off the small or central leaves called by the grower the 

 " chit," and often so effectually as to destroy the plant. The 

 time chosen by the planter to find these pests of the tobacco 



THE WORM. 



field is early in the morning, when they can be found nearer 

 the surface than later in the day. Remove the earth around 

 the roots of the plants, where the worm will generally be 

 found. Occasionally they are found farther from the hill. 

 If they are numerous, the field should be " wormed " every 

 morning, or at least every other day, which labor will be 

 rewarded with a choice collection of primitive tobacco chewers. 

 Sometimes the worms are very small and difficult to find, 

 while at other times more are found than are required for the 

 growth and development of the plants. As soon as they 

 disappear they make way for the "horn worm" who now 

 takes his turn at a " chaw." By some the cut worm is con- 

 sidered the most dangerous foe ; as it often destroys the plant, 



