336 Gardening 



adults and larvae of the beneficial lady beetles feed almost 

 entirely upon aphids. One of the lady beetles, however 

 (the "squash lady bug"), eats the leaves of the squash, 

 pumpkin, muskmelon, watermelon, and cucumber; and 

 another species is injurious to bean crops in Colorado, 

 Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. These in- 

 jurious lady beetles should be destroyed. They may be 

 controlled by spraying with lead arsenate, in the same 

 way that other chewing insects are treated. 



The gardener receives much assistance from nature 

 through the feeding habits of beneficial insects and birds 

 which destroy and help to keep in check the various in- 

 sects that injure garden crops. But it is often necessary 

 for him to take the matter of destroying insects into his 

 own hands. 



Fortunately, the gardener is able to use methods that 

 hold in check and destroy most of the insects injurious to 

 garden crops, and through close observation he can gain 

 in experience and knowledge so that as soon as insect 

 enemies appear in the garden he will know just what to 

 do, when to do it, and how to do it. 



Questions 



What do we need to find out about an insect before we attempt 

 to control it? How can the chewing insects in general be de- 

 stroyed? Describe the life history of the cabbage butterfly, 

 naming the four stages or conditions in its life. In which stage 

 is it injurious to cabbage plants? What are the usual methods 

 of controlling the cabbage butterfly ? 



How is dry Paris green prepared for use against insects ? How is 

 it used ? How is Paris green prepared when used as a liquid 

 spray ? How is arsenate of lead used when dry ? How is it pre- 

 pared when used as a liquid spray? Describe the preparation 



