INSECTS IXJURIOCS TO COTTOX. 203 



The more effective method of keeping the insect in con- 

 trol is the result of practical experience, and consists in 

 the wise use of what are known as trap crops. Let five 

 acres be planted with cotton and corn alternately with every 

 seventy-five or one hundred acres of cotton, or in tlie same 

 relative proportion for smaller areas. Of the five acres, 

 for every twenty-five rows of cotton let five rows he left 

 vacant. In these five vacant rows plant, as early as possi- 

 ble, one row of an early-maturing sweet corn, planted 

 sparsely, as only a small number of plants are desired. 

 During the silking period let frequent search be made for 

 the yellowish-white eggs, and when fresh eggs Cvin no 

 longer be found let the silk ends of the corn covered with 

 eggs and young worms be cut off and destroyed by burn- 

 ing or feeding to stock; or better still, to insure perfect 

 safety, let the entire plant be destroyed. Let three other 

 rows be planted with dent corn so as to bring the silking 

 period about the first of July. The larger number of eggs 

 which will be laid on these three rows should be allowed 

 to mature for the j^i'^servation of the natural enemies 

 which parasitize the eggs and young worms. The crowded 

 condition of the worms in these rows will result in a large 

 amount of cannibalism, so that only a small number will 

 reach maturity, recompense for which will be found in the 

 parasites. But to entrap these individuals, let the fifth 

 row be planted so as to reach the silking j^eriod about 

 August first, and let this row be cut and destroyed as soon 

 as the laying of eggs upon it ceases. It has been found 

 that the corn produced from the second planting Avill 

 generally j^ay for the expense of cultivation and the sacri- 

 fice of the five rows of corn. In many cases, if the other 

 two be properly cared for^ the third planting will not be 



