236 GARDEN FARMING 



Owing to the inefficiency of poisonous applications when the 

 insects are most abundant, recourse must be had to preventives, 

 repellents, and cultural methods. 



Covering young plants. Market gardeners and others growing 

 cucumbers on a small scale have resorted to many devices to check 

 the ravages of this insect, among which may be mentioned a 

 small screen-covered box or frame 12 or 15 inches square, made 

 of boards -J inch thick and 4 inches wide, and covered with wire 

 cloth similar to that used for mosquito netting. This proves a very 

 effective barrier against these insects, but the difficulty of storing 

 such protective devices and the cost of their manufacture are almost 

 prohibitory to their use. Other growers use cheesecloth or mosquito 

 bar, cutting it into squares 1 8 by 1 8 inches. By placing a peg 6 or 

 8 inches high in the center of the hill of cucumbers, and throw- 

 ing the square of mosquito netting over the peg so that it will 

 fall about it in the form of a little tent, the edges of which are 

 held in place by a ridge of earth, a very satisfactory barrier against 

 these insects is formed. Because of the low cost of the mosquito 

 netting and the fact that as soon as the plants are established it 

 can be removed and used again for several successive years, this 

 is one of the cheapest and most satisfactory ways of dealing with 

 these pests. 



A cheap frame may be made by cutting a barrel hoop so as to 

 form two semicircles, which are placed at right angles to each 

 other and the ends inserted in the ground with the curve upper- 

 most, or by bending two strong wires into the form of croquet 

 arches. The frame is covered with gauze or similar material, held 

 in place with earth packed about the edges so as to prevent the 

 beetles from working under it. The first cost and the expense 

 of adjusting these devices greatly limit their use, although it is 

 necessary to keep the plants covered only while they are young, 

 and the same covering may be used year after year. 



Early planting. Where no covering is used it is advisable to 

 start the plants in frames or hothouses, or to plant the earliest 

 varieties and set them out as soon as possible, so as to get them 

 well established before the beetles appear. The planting of late 

 varieties should be postponed until after the first appearing beetles 

 have laid their eggs and disappeared. 



