Insects in the Garden 323 



FIG. 178. Showing how aphids stunt the growth of seedlings. These two 

 cabbage plants were started at the same time ; the one at the left was allowed 

 to become infested with aphids, but the one at the right was kept free from 

 them. 



In the vegetable garden, plant lice are often abundant 

 on peas, on melons, cucumbers, and other vine crops, and 

 on spinach and cabbage. The insects feed chiefly on the 

 under surface of the leaves, which often become irreg- 

 ularly curled and shriveled through their work. Badly 

 infested plants do not thrive, they often fail to pro- 

 duce good crops, and they may die prematurely. 



Aphids are usually overcome with sprays made from 

 tobacco preparations. These are sold in the market 

 under various trade names. One of the best known and 

 most powerful is " Black Leaf 40." Nicotine sulfate, 

 made from tobacco, is much used in making insect 

 sprays. To use it, dissolve i ounce of soap in a gallon 

 of hot water, and then add i teaspoonful of the nicotine 

 sulfate. A small package of smoking tobacco boiled in 



