THE SQUASH BUG 27 



adult. At this time bugs of all sizes are present in greater or 

 less numbers. When the method of handpicking is employed 

 man\^ of these nymphs concealed below clods, old leaves, or 

 other places, or even when exposed upon the surface, are 

 likelv to be overlooked. To avoid this it is desirable at this 

 time to use the kerowater spray that will kill the bugs without 

 injuring the vines. An 8 per cent, mixture of kerowater that 

 will kill the bugs is fatal to the tender squash plants. The 

 odor of kerowater, however, is very offensive to the bugs. 

 A mixture having a typical kerosene odor — say 2 per cent. — 

 when sprayed on the plant and ground will cause those bugs 

 which are concealed to come forth and try to escape from the 

 odor. Some of those on tlie plant will come to the upper 

 surface of the leaves while the others will run over the ground. 

 These can be easily picked, and to make sure of the destruc- 

 tion of the small nymphs spray the ground with an S per cent, 

 kerowater mixture. The ground need not be saturated so as 

 to affect the plant, but a light spray of that strength will do 

 the work effectively. When a kerowater spray pump is at 

 hand all that is necessary is to shift the gauge and no new 

 mixture need be prepared. 



The best time to apply this spray is late in the afternoon 

 when the sun is low ; it will be less serious to the plant than 

 it would be during the hotter portion of the day. The 

 kerowater will not evaporate so readily, and the effects will 

 therefore be better. As the stragglers come during the hottest 

 portion of the day such a spray will include these. 



When a spray pump is used that throws a stream of ker- 

 osene and water in the form of a spray it should never be for- 

 gotten that when the action of the pump is discontinued the 

 mixture that is in the tube may separate into the water and 

 the kerosene, the latter rising to the top of the tube. The 

 first stream, therefore, after such rest would contain kerosene 

 in a more or less concentrated form which would tend to kill 

 the plant tissues. When the conditions are such that the 

 pump must be stopped very often, the damage may be 

 considerable. In every case where the pump is started the 

 first stream should be directed upon the ground, or at least 

 away from the plant. 



