174 AGRICULTURE 



4. Insect Enemies of the Vegetable Garden 



Fortunately, most of the garden vegetables are not sub- 

 ject to great injury from insects. Certain plants are, how- 

 ever, special targets for these pests, and must be protected 

 or they will almost certainly be destroyed. 



The most common enemy of cabbage and cauliflower is 

 the cabbage-worm, which is the larvse of the common white 

 butterfly seen about the cabbage patches. The most ef- 

 fective remedy is spraying with the arsenate of lead prep- 

 aration, made by mixing three pounds of the paste with fifty 

 gallons of water. To this should be added a mixture of 

 resin and lime, or soap, to cause the insecticide to stick to 

 the leaves. 



The cucumber beetle. The worst enemy of cucum- 

 bers is a small striped beetle which eats the leaves of the 

 young plants. When only a few hills are raised they may 

 be kept off the plants by making a small wooden frame 

 over which is stretched wire mosquito netting, and plac- 

 ing these boxes over the hills. These pests can also be 

 controlled by spraying with the arsenate of lead compound. 

 The roots of the plants are sometimes attacked by the 

 larvae of the bettle. Tobacco dust sprinkled on the roots 

 is an effective remedy. 



The cucumber beetle is also the most troublesome enemy 

 of squash, muskmelons and watermelons. These plants 

 may be protected in the same way as the cucumber. 



The aphis. The aphis, a small green fly, is a sucking 

 insect that attacks lettuce, peas and other green leaf crops. 

 It is also frequently found on flowering shrubs. It may 

 be controlled by spraying with a mixture of soap and water, 

 or with a nicofume preparation mixed according to direc- 

 tions on the package. 



The cutworm. The cutworm attacks a number of 



