258 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO STAPLE CHOPS. 



excepting when a scarcity of food causes them to assemble 

 and assume tlie marching habit of the army-worm during 

 the day. For this reason their work often remains 

 unnoticed until the damage is done, and no remedy can 

 repair the loss. The characteristic mode of attack is to 

 cut off the young plant at the surface of the ground and 

 leisurely feed upon the leaves and stem, but several species 



Fig. 147. — The Dark-sided Cutv7orm {Agrotls messoria). (After 



Riley.) 



remain entirely under the soil, pulling the j^lant more or 

 less into their subterranean retreat. The life-history of 

 the various species of cutworms varies considerably, and 

 has not been entirely ascertained for many of them, but 

 whatever it may be they are always on hand, ready to nip 

 the young jDlants as soon as set out. 



Remedies. — All things considered, no remedy has as yet 

 been devised which is more satisfactory or efficient than that 

 of a mixture of bran or middlings and Paris green. This 

 consists of mixing one pound of Paris green with forty of 

 bran or middlings, barely moistening this with water into 

 which has been stirred about two quarts of cheap molasses 



