GENERAL FARM METHODS AGAINST INSECT PESTS. 27 



requires more or less of a knowledge of the life-histor}^ and 

 habits of the pest to be caught; 3^et this is easily acquired 

 by a little observation and reading, and the men who 

 combat these pests successfully are those who have such a 

 knowledge of them. Let us consider, then, one or two of 

 the more important cases where this principle may be used 

 to advantage. 



The Harlequin Cabbage-bug is a southern insect, but 

 it has recejitly been found in southern Pennsylvania and 

 seems to be gradually working northward. When this 

 insect has succeeded in reachiug the cabbage-field it is an 

 exceedingly difficult matter to prevent serious injury by it. 

 If, however, a crop of early kale is planted the previous 

 fall, the bugs Avliich hibernate over winter will attack it in 

 the. spring, aud may then be killed by spraying them with 

 pure kerosene, and the danger to the cabbage crop be thus 

 largely averted. 



The Corn Ear-worm, Tomato-worm, Tobacco Bud- 

 worm, or Cotton Boll-worm, as it is variously known in 

 different sections of the country, according to the crop 

 which it most commonly infests, is one which must be 

 treated almost entirely by means of a trap crop of corn. 

 Unfortunately for that plant, however, this method can- 

 not, of course, be of use in protecting the corn-field, where 

 it must be controlled as best it may by breaking up the 

 cells of the hibernating pup^ by late fall plowing. But 

 as corn is the favorite food of the worms, and the moths 

 will invariably deposit their eggs in its silk, tobacco, 

 cotton, and possibly tomatoes may be largely protected 

 by a proper handling of the corn crop. By planting an 

 early crop of corn, the moths will deposit their eggs in the 

 silk; and before the worms have become full grown it 



