52 FARM SPIES 



"They had all listened to Mr. Colby with intense 

 interest, and when he finished they stood spell- 

 bound. After a few seconds, Mr. Smith broke the 

 silence by asking, 



"Where do they stay in winter when no corn is 

 to be had?' 7 



"In this part of the country they do not go into 

 real winter quarters, like so many other kinds of 

 insects, but when cold weather begins they find 

 shelter under the leaves of weeds and other suitable 

 places, and from there they come out and feed 

 during warm weather. They - 



"What can they feed on in winter ?" Mr. Smith 

 interrupted. 



Mr. Colby explained, "There are several food 

 plants, but there are two kinds of wild weeds known 

 as life everlasting, which are common on the farms 

 of this section throughout the winter ; during warm 

 spells these furnish food, and during cold weather 

 their leaves furnish shelter for the insects." 



"Then it looks to me as if there is no way of 

 getting rid of these little pests," Mr. Smith com- 

 plained. 



"It is not quite so bad as that," Mr. Colby re- 

 plied ; "it is very important where they give trouble 

 that the corn be planted at the right time to prevent 

 damage." 



"That sounds good enough, Mr. Colby, but how 



