Insects in the Garden 323 
Fic. 178. Showing how aphids stunt the growth of seedlings. These two 
cabbage plants were started at the same time; the one at the left was allowed 
to become infested with aphids, but the one at the right was kept free from 
them. 
In the vegetable garden, plant lice are often abundant 
‘on peas, on melons, cucumbers, and other vine crops, and 
on spinach and cabbage. The insects feed chiefly on the 
under’ surface of the leaves, which often become irreg- 
ularly curled and shriveled through their work. Badly 
infested plants do not thrive, they often fail to pro- 
duce good crops, and they may die prematurely. 
Aphids are usually overcome with sprays made from 
tobacco preparations. These are sold in the market 
under various trade names. One of the best known and 
most powerful is “ Black Leaf 40.” Nicotine sulfate, 
made from tobacco, is much used in making insect 
sprays. To use it, dissolve r ounce of soap in a gallon 
of hot water, and then add 1 teaspoonful of the nicotine 
sulfate. A small package of smoking tobacco boiled in 
