Insects and Diseases 165 



Cucumber-blight or Mildew is similar to that 

 which attacks muskmelons, the leaves turning yel- 

 low, dying in spots and finally drying up altogether. 

 Where there is reason to fear an attack of this dis- 

 ease, or upon the first appearance, spray thoroughly 

 with Bordeaux, 5-5-50, and repeat every ten days 

 or so. The spraying seems to be more effective on 

 cucumbers than on melons. 



Cut-worm: — The cut-worm is perhaps the most 

 annoying of all garden pests. Others do more 

 damage, but none is so exasperating. He works at 

 night, attacks the strongest, healthiest plants, and 

 is content simply to cut them ofif, seldom, apparently, 

 eating much or carrying away any of the sev- 

 ered leaves or stems, although occasionally I have 

 found such bits, especially small onion tops, dragged 

 oflf and partly into the soil. In small gardens the 

 quickest and best remedy is hand-picking. As the 

 worms work at night they may be found with a lan- 

 tern ; or very early in the morning. In daj^ime by 

 digging about in the soil wherever a cut is found, 

 and by careful search, they can almost invariably be 

 turned out. As a preventive, and a supplement to 

 hand-picking, a poisoned bait should be used. This 

 is made by mixing bran with water until a "mash" 

 is made, to which is added a dusting of Paris green 

 or arsenate of lead, sprayed on thickly and thor- 

 oughly worked through the mass. This is distrib- 



