6>6 MODERN STRAWBERRY GROWING 



snout-beetle, "which lays its eggs in the buds 

 of the strawberries, following this by eating 

 away the part of the stem below the bud, 

 causing it to droop," known as the strawberry 

 weevil is one of the most injurious insects 

 of the fruit. A little white grub, which 

 develops from the ^%% in the bud, becomes 

 fully developed in a few weeks. About five 

 weeks after the egg is laid it emerges from 

 the pupal stage as a perfect beetle ready 

 to begin work on other flowers. 



Clean culture is very necessary in combat- 

 ing this insect, especially with reference to 

 neighbouring old strawberry or blackberry 

 beds. As these latter are insect-breeding 

 beds they should be destroyed. Applications 

 of insecticides are not of value, as the insect 

 feeds inside the bud. 



Covering the beds, if the plantation is 

 small, will prevent entrance of the insect. 

 The commercial grower must depend on 

 rotation of crops, clean culture and plough- 

 ing or burning over badly affected beds. 



Many times malformed fruit is found 

 which is known as "buttoning." This is 

 caused by the check in the growth of the 

 young fruit given by the tarnished plant 



