INSECTS IXJURIOrS TO THE POTATO. 249 



For larger areas a Avet application will doubtless be found 

 more satisfactory. For this purpose one pound of Paiis 

 green and one pound of quicklime to one hundred and 

 fifty gallons of water will kill all the insects biting the 

 foliage. While the vines are young, this may best be 

 carried in a half barrel placed on wheels, and applied with 

 a suitable pump and nozzle. But as the vines become 

 larger and the field is more difficult to traverse, a knapsack- 

 sprayer will be found advantageous. 



Either arsenite of lime or arsenite of soda is as effective 

 as Paris green and very much cheaper. 



By observing the pest and spraying when needed, no 

 fear need be had of losses from this insect, and if such 

 joolicy were adopted by every one, it would be but a few 

 years before we would be comparatively free from it. 



Flea-beetles. 



Among the worst insect pests wdth which j)otato-growers 

 have had to contend in recent years are the small black 

 beetles, which, from their power of making long, quick 

 jumps, are known as flea-beetles. 



Indeed, in the Rural New Yorker 2:)otato-contest, in 

 1888, it was reported that the variety "Rural Seedling 

 No. 3 lost the day and was nearly a failure on account of 

 the ravages of the common flea-beetle, Epitrix cucuntej-is." 



Several species are known to attack the potato, the two 

 most common being the Cucumber Flea-beetle (Epitrix 

 cucinneris Harris) and one which Prof. H. A. Garman has 

 styled the Southern Potato Flea-beetle [Epitrix fuscula). 

 The Tobacco Flea-beetle [Epitrix parvida) is not uncom- 

 monly found on the vines in sections where its habitue; 1 

 food-plant is also grown. All of these species are, how- 



