46 ALLOTMENT GAKDENS 



Green flies are in some seasons found in very large 

 numbers on the leaves, particularly the under side, of 

 cabbages and other plants belonging to the Brassica 

 section. Leaves very badly attacked should be burned. 



Dusting the plants with lime or soot and syringing 

 with soap- washes will do good. 



Beetles. The Broad Bean beetle is to be found in 

 most seasons. 



The maggots live on the fleshy material in the seed. 



At planting time the fully-matured insect will often 

 be found in the seed ; the presence of the beetles is 



Wireworm (Elater). 



[Copyright S. & S. 



generally recognized by discol6ured patches of the skin 

 about the size of a pin's head, under which they are 

 to be found. 



Dipping the seed in boiling water for one minute is 

 said to be sure death to the beetles, without injury to 

 the seed, but it is not so good or safe as hand-picking. 



Click Beetles. In the larval or maggot stage the four 

 species of Click Beetles (known as the wireworm, which 

 is said to live in the larval condition from three to five 

 years) do a great amount of injury to carrots, potatoes, 

 and other crops. A dressing of gas-lime, 14 to 20 lb. 

 to a pole of ground, spread on in the autumn is an old 

 remedy. A dressing of kainit applied any time through 

 the winter, at the rate of 2 to 3 lb. to the pole, has in 

 many cases proved effectual in destroying wireworm. 



