70 VEGETABLE GAKDENING. 



frequently found inside the pods. Insecticides are 

 practically useless against this pest, but it may be 

 suppressed by at once burning all affected pods and 

 seeds as they are discovered, and as soon as the crop 

 is gathered all pea-haulm should be collected and 

 burned. Dig the ground in early winter, and after- 

 wards apply a liberal dressing of quicklime, forking 

 it into the surface. 



Pea and Bean Weevils (Sitones sp.). The adult 

 weevils devour the leaves and shoots of young pea 

 and bean plants, while the larvae sometimes destroy 

 the roots. The damage is often attributed to birds, 

 etc. ; as the weevils feed mostly at night and hide 

 in the soil during the day they are not readily seen. 

 Any of the following may be employed with good 

 results, the object being to make the plants dis- 

 tasteful or poisonous to the pest : (1) Dust infected 

 plants, when damp, with a mixture of lime and soot, 

 or with hellebore or pyrethrum powder. (2) Spray 

 the plants with a weak solution of arsenate of lead, 

 or with an emulsion of paraffin and soft soap. 



Bean Aphis (Aphis rumicis). This pest is also 

 known as the " Black Fly," " Collier," and " Black 

 Dolphin." The insects appear, often in large num- 

 bers, on the tops of bean plants. When flowering is 

 over remove the top of the plants, as advised in the 

 culture of the bean, and if these are infested they 

 should be burned. In the event of the pest attack- 

 ing the plants before flowering is completed, or if it 

 persists later on the lower leaves that are retained, 

 syringe the plants with a strong solution of soft 

 soap, to which may be added a quantity of quassia 

 extract ; or with dilute Clensel. 



