176 SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPOKT 



a wide, longitudinal, velvet-black stripe upon the middle of 

 the back, and two bright yellow stripes upon each side, 

 these latter being connected with each other by five yellow 

 transverse lines. The full-grown caterpillars construct 

 loose cocoons slightly beneath the soil surface, the cocoons 

 being composed of particles of earth fastened together by 

 silken threads. They change to pupae within these co- 

 coons, and the moths emerge later. 



The Black Squash Bug, which so suddenly disappeared 

 in 1902, continued extraordinarily scarce, doing practically 

 no damage to vines. The little Striped Cucumber Beetles, 

 however, were exceedingly destructive, both in their adult 

 and larval stages. Our experience this season demonstrated 

 the necessity of keeping the beetles away from the young 

 plants in order that their eggs may not be laid about the 

 roots. The larv^ that hatch from these eggs burroAV 

 through the base of the stalk and the roots and do a great 

 deal of damage. The liberal application of tobacco powder 

 to the hills is the best remedy I have found. 



Among the other garden insects, about the usual damage 

 was done. The Bean Weevil continued destructive, as did 

 also the Pea "Weevil, while early in the season the flea- 

 beetles were very troublesome on potatoes, tomatoes and 

 similar crops. 



