334 Gardening 



the tomato and the potato. The stem soon wilts and 

 dies above the place where the insect entered ; so one can 

 tell when a borer is in a plant. By slitting open the stem 

 the insect may be found and destroyed early in its life. 



The seed-corn maggot burrows into the roots and stems 

 of young plants, especially corn, beans, and cabbage, 

 causing them to wilt and die. Pull up all infested plants 

 and destroy the larvae. The methods advised for combat- 

 ing the radish maggot may also be used for this maggot. 



The carrot-rust fly attacks carrots, celery, parsnips, 

 and parsley, feeding in the tender roots and burrowing 

 into large roots of older plants. There is no very good 

 method of control, except perhaps that of growing the 

 crop under a frame completely covered with cheesecloth. 



The European corn borer has recently been introduced 

 into several eastern states, and there is danger of its 

 spreading throughout the country. If it is not checked, 

 it may become a serious enemy of the corn grower. The 

 larvae burrow into the stalks, ears, and even the seeds. 

 As many as 311 borers have been found in a single hill of 

 corn. Such a destructive insect should be vigorously 

 fought, and its presence should be reported immediately 

 to the state agricultural college, to a county agricultural 

 agent, or to the Bureau of Entomology, United States 

 Department of Agriculture, for instruction as to the 

 best measure of control. 



BENEFICIAL INSECTS 



Not all of the insects seen in the garden are injurious 

 to garden crops. Some are very helpful, for they feed 



