SOME COMMON PESTS 287 



very busy among the cabbages, propagating its species by laying 

 eggs in the heart of the plants during May. The larvae are thus 

 difficult to get at, and whenever it is possible the butterfly itself 

 should be destroyed. Otherwise a multitude of the familiar 

 green caterpillars will speedily make their appearance, and then 

 there remains nothing but to search for them among the leaves 

 and kill them outright. Dusting with lime is said to be 

 effectual, but this operation will need to be repeated after 

 every shower. 



TURNIP FLEA-BEETLE. This is a most destructive insect which 

 often destroys a whole breadth of young seedling turnips. The 

 best preventive is constantly to keep the hoe in play between the 

 rows. Frequent dustings of soot and wood ashes after rain or 

 heavy dew will also keep it in check, while another mode of attack 

 is to spray the leaves with an emulsion of quassia extract and 

 paraffin. 



CELERY FLY. The larvae of this pest cause great damage by 

 tunnelling between the membranes of the leaves. A good remedy 

 is to spray the young plants with quassia solution once a week 

 during the early stages of their growth. This acts as a deterrent 

 to the fly laying its eggs. 



ONION FLY. This is a very troublesome pest if it be allowed 

 to get a firm foothold. The method recommended for celery fly 

 should be adopted. The important thing is to keep the young 

 shoots coated with the insecticide so long as the fly shows a 

 propensity to lay its eggs. 



WOOLLY APHIS. This pest is perhaps better known as American 

 Blight. Its ravages in orchards are disastrous unless means be 

 taken to check them It is a small bug which envelops itself in 

 a mass of white filmy threads resembling cotton wool. On its 

 first appearance in small patches it may be possible to eradicate 

 it by dipping a camel's-hair brush in methylated spirit and 

 thoroughly wetting the affected part. But when the disease is 

 widespread recourse must be had to spraying with a solution of 

 soft soap, crude potash and caustic soda. The proper proportions 

 are one pound of each to seventeen gallons of clear water. This 



