72 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



Aphis. See Chapter XL, p. 84. Numerous varieties 

 of this pest infest the crops. When they are found in frames 

 and conservatories use a fumigating preparation. For 

 outdoor requirements, spray with a solution made as 

 follows : Put a gallon of water in an old saucepan with a 

 quarter of a pound of soft soap and an equal weight of 

 quassia chips and boil steadily. Dilute with an equal bulk 

 of hot water and use warm. 



Beetroot Carrion Beetle. This foe eats the leaves when they 

 are young and tender. Most harm is done by the larvae, 

 which are dark in colour, shiny-backed, and about half an 

 inch in length. 



Black Fly. See Chapter XIL, p. 102. 



Cabbage Butterfly. A most unwelcome visitor to our 

 plots. The butterfly is of a greenish-white colour with 

 grey-black markings. The eggs laid by it, generally on the 

 underside of the leaves, hatch out and become rapacious 

 caterpillars. Dust the leaves with lime or sprinkle with salt 

 water and hand-pick the caterpillars at frequent intervals. 

 Sparrows, robins, blackbirds, and thrushes will assist in the 

 good work ; so will dragon flies (see Plate 16, Figs. 2 and 3). 



Cabbage Fly. This fly feeds on the stems and roots of 

 various plants, causing them to droop. The maggots are 

 about a third of an inch in length and ashy-grey in colour. 

 The affected plants must be burnt. To prevent attacks of 

 these pests dip the seedlings in a paste-like mixture of soot 

 and lime, or dig Vaporite into the ground prior to planting. 

 See also Chapter XL, p. 85. 



Cabbage Moth. Is usually most troublesome in late sum- 

 mer and autumn, when it attacks the tender portions of the 

 brassica and some other plants. The caterpillars are pale 

 green when young and later become dull brown on the backs 

 and dull yellow underneath. Hand-pick, use a wash such 

 as Abol, dig Vaporite into the ground or spray with a strong 

 solution of salt. 



