322 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



(and this will apply to those which ravage our gardens and 

 orchards as well as those attacking field crops), is as follows: 

 Some time, usually late in the season, the moths, which are 

 always of a sober hue, gray or brown, with two conspicuous 

 spots on their front wings, may be seen in concealed places 

 about our houses, as being attracted by lights they come into 

 our houses by night, and, being night moths, seek to hide by day. 

 It is probable that the moths, after pairing, seek some grass 

 spot on which to deposit eggs, for true it is that we find the 

 caterpillars, in fall and spring, amidst the roots of grass, on 

 which they appear to feed, though even these immature larvae 

 may, like the mature one, come forth for the more succulent 



blade and leaf. And among 

 all insects there is a strange 

 instinct which seldom errs, 

 which secures egg-laying in 

 close proximity to the food 



FIG. 3. Agrotls Cochrani, Larva and Imago, of the larV88. 



The young cut-worms, perhaps from their small size and 

 abundant food, seem to attract little attention because of 

 their injuries till the succeeding May, when the full grown 

 larvae, now over an inch in length, greasy, and in sober garb 

 of gray, brown, or striped with light and 

 dark, depending on the species, come forth 

 to nip our crops and blast our hopes. 



After the larvse growth is complete 

 they become chrysalids in an earthen FIG. 4.-p upa . 



cocoon, a few inches from the surface, and in summer and 

 autumn the moths again appear, when the same cycle of 

 growth, changes, and destruction is again repeated. 



I might describe here, as before, many predaceous and par- 

 asitic insects which help to hold these dread destroyers in check, 

 but as they are unable, without aid, to wholly accomplish the 

 good work, I will at once proceed to the more practical duty of 

 detailing artificial means to preclude these injuries. 



REMEDIES. I am fully persuaded that there is no more sure 

 way to ward off cut-worm injuries than to enter into partnership 



