382 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



makes an admirable cover, often sold by dealers. Two stout wires 

 bent into arches and crossed, may also be covered with netting, 

 the lower edge of which is held by earth packed over the edges. 

 Or cone-shaped covers may be fashioned out of wire screening and 

 kept from year to year. (See Headlee, I.e.) 



Many growers obviate loss of plants and the necessity of 

 replanting b\^ sowing the seed in rows rather thickly and then thin- 

 ning out to the desired distance after the worst injury by the beetle 

 is passed. Others make several plantings in each hill at intervals 

 of a week, but the former plan will ensure earlier growth. 



The growing of rows of early beans to act as a trap-crop has 

 been suggested, as the beetles will gather on them, it is said, and 

 having an abundance of food will not injure the cucurbits. Squash 

 may be effectively used in this way as the beetles are peculiarly 

 fond of the quick-growing squash seedlings. A week or ten days 

 before the regular crop, plant rows of squash -seed around and 

 through the prospective field, and plant more rows when the regu- 

 lar crop is planted. If the main crop be kept well dusted or 

 sprayed as advised below, the beetles will concentrate on the trap- 

 squash and might be destroyed upon it by spraying with pure 

 kerosene. 



Liberal fertilization with quick-acting fertilizers will aid the 

 young plants to makc'a quick growth and thus outgrow the injury. 



Growers have long known that if the plants are kept thoroughly 

 covered with some sort of dust that the beetles will not molest 

 them, and various sprays have been used in the same way. To be 

 effective the plants must be dusted in early morning while the. 

 dew is on and all parts of the plant, above and below, must be 

 thoroughly covered. This must be repeated as often as the dust 

 is washed or blown off, or the plant outgrows it. Air-slaked lime 

 mixed with sulfur, tobacco dust, and bug-death have been the most 

 effective, though similar powders will be found beneficial. Bor- 

 deaux mixture has been recommended for this purpose, but seems 

 to have a stunting effect on the young plants. The most valuable 

 repellant seems to be a spray of arsenate of lead 3 to 5 pounds per 

 barrel. This not only repels the beetles better than any other 



