GARDEN INSECTS. 37 



The losses occasioned by garden pests here and there in our 

 small gardens seem trivial, though often distl-essingly annoying, 

 but when we come to consider the damage done the truck crops of the 

 whole country it is seen to be enormous. In 1904, Mr. C. L. Mar- 

 latt, assistant entomologist of the United States Department of 

 Agriculture, estimated that twenty per cent of the value of the 

 truck crops of the United States was lost through the depredations 

 of insect pests. At the present time this would therefore mean 

 some $60,000,000 loss every year from the insect pests of garden 

 crops. 



It is evident from the unsatisfactory knowledge we now have 

 of remedies for many of these pests that there is still much work for 

 the observant gardener, cooperating with the trained entomologist, 

 to do in determining the habits of many of these insects upon which 

 measures of control may be based. And while these pests are to be 

 diligently fought, much pleasure may be secured by the progressive 

 gardener in studying their habits and transformations, for many of 

 them are most wonderful and interesting, especially the relations 

 of their natural enemies, and with such knowledge of their habits 

 they may be much more successfully controlled. 



Discussion. 



Many questions were asked concerning known and unknown 

 insects from which the various speakers had suffered in their garden 

 experiences. A summary of the principal suggestions offered by 

 the Lecturer is herewith presented. 



The common white fly of the greenhouse is best destroyed by the 

 use of hydro-cyanic acid gas. This is, however, a rather dangerous 

 remedy, unless used by an expert. For house plants a better method 

 is to place the plants in a closet or a closed room and fumigate with 

 tobacco. It may be necessary to repeat several times. For out-of- 

 door treatment soap and water will be generally found satisfactory. 



In combating the rose bug, one of the meanest pests, leading 

 authorities say there is no remedy. The only thing to do is to pick 

 it off in the early morning when it is dormant and burn it. Arsenate 

 of lead, ten pounds per barrel, and Bordeaux mixture have been 

 recommended as useful in its destruction. 



