194 THE STRAWBERRY 



Strawberry Weevil. In many parts of the country the 

 weevil when abundant destroys from 50 to 60 per cent, of 

 the crop each year. The insect is intermittent in its attack 

 and will be numerous for several years then suddenly disap- 

 pear and will cause no more trouble for some time, finally 

 reappearing again. 



The adult insects hibernate over winter under rubbish 

 near the strawberry bed. In the spring they appear and after 

 feeding for a short time lay their eggs in the unopened flower 

 buds. In about a week the little grubs hatch and begin at 

 once to eat the buds thus destroying them entirely. When 

 the insects are numerous they often feed upon the foliage. 



The best means of control for this insect is by practising 

 clean culture. 



In addition to the insects mentioned there are several 

 more, but they rarely ever become troublesome. 



Nematodes. Nematodes are small hair-like worms found 

 in the soil. They are about T V to ^V f an i ncn long. They 

 are sometimes called eelworms and gall-worms. Nematodes 

 produce knot-like enlargements on the roots at the points of 

 infestation. They occur rather widely in soils where the 

 climate is so mild throughout the year that the ground 

 rarely freezes more than a very few inches deep. 



Strawberry plants are very susceptible to this parasite, 

 and heavy losses occur in certain localities. 



The symptoms of infestation are seen when the foliage 

 assumes an unhealthy appearance, and may wilt in hot 

 weather, finally dying. In less severe cases the plants refuse 

 to bear and soon become of no value. 



The only remedy is to free the soil of this parasite. In 

 cold sections, fall plowing, that will expose them to severe 

 freezing is effective. In other sections they must be starved 

 out by planting crops that are either immune or highly 

 resistant to them. A few crops used for this purpose are, 

 corn, oats, rye, millet, wheat, peanuts and several varieties 

 of cowpeas. It usually requires from two to three years to 

 rid a soil of this pest. 



