OF THE FAKM AND GARDEN. 65 



slightly with earth of several lower joints of the plants 

 will be effective. A similar treatment has been found 

 useful with the related Peach-tree Borer, and is worth 

 bearing in mind if the Squash Borer is apprehended. 



THE TOMATO. 



The Tomato, belonging to the same botanical family 

 as the Potato, is attacked by several of the insects that 

 feed upon that plant, and it is not necessary to give a 

 separate description of them. When the plants are first 

 set out in the spring, they are sometimes cut off by the 

 greasy Cut- worm, the larva of Agrotis telifera, Harris. 

 This cut-worm is a general feeder, and destroys whatever 

 plants it may come across. The holes of the worms 

 should be searched for, and the tenants destroyed. 

 Wrapping a piece of paper around the lower part of the 

 stem of each plant, allowing the lower edge to be below 

 the surface of the earth, while the other edge extends an 

 inch or two above it, will prevent their attacks. 



The Stalk Borer of the Potato, and the Colorado 

 Beetle, occasionally attack the Tomato. These are 

 described under Potato. The most injurious insect to 

 the Tomato, is the large green Caterpillar, of /Sphinx 

 quinque maculata, which is called both " Tomato," and 

 "Potato Worm," (See POTATO). This voracious feeder 

 will soon strip a plant of its foliage, and even eat the 

 young fruit. Where tomatoes are trained to a trellis, as 

 they always should be in garden culture, the abundant 

 droppings upon the ground will indicate its presence, 

 and it should be sought for at once. Being so nearly of 

 the same color as the stems of the plant, it might escape 



