INSECTS AND DISEASES 49 



Direct methods of control are of extreme im- 

 portance, but are after all only minor factors in the 

 problem as it presents itself in the larger way. 

 There are seven principal methods in common use 

 in the direct control and destruction of insect pests. 

 With so many effective methods available it be- 

 comes especially important that the grower be more 

 or less familiar with the nature and habits of the 

 insect, the time of its appearance, and the nature 

 of its damage, in order that the best method of 

 attack may be selected and intelligently used. 



One method sometimes used is by inclosing the 

 plants. In other words, the insects are fenced out. 

 Wire fences have often proved more effective in 

 stopping an invading army than sword and musket. 

 A few insects of the garden can be controlled in 

 this manner more cheaply and more effectively than 

 by any other method. Many melon and cucumber 

 growers follow the plan of covering the hills with 

 a small wooden frame 12 to 15 inches square and 

 three or four inches deep, covered on one side with 

 cheesecloth. This frame is placed over the hill 

 after the seed is planted. The earth is firmed 

 around the edges in such a way as to effectually 

 fence out the cucumber beetle, one of the most 

 common and most destructive insects attacking this 

 group of plants. 



Some insects may be more effectively repelled 

 than directly destroyed. Slaked lime is sometimes 

 employed in combating the striped cucumber 

 beetle. It does not kill directly, but makes the 

 plants so treated an uncomfortable place for the 

 insect. The common squash vine borer may some- 

 times be successfully repelled by the use of corn 

 cobs or other similar materials soaked in creosote 



