SOLANACBOUS CROP PROJECTS 71 



2. Describe the systems in common use. What are their comparative 



merits? 

 W-VG : 461-463. L: 246-248. Tra: 79-89. W-VF : 

 280-284. 



3. Will it pay to train your plants? If so, what system will you use? 



19. Combating insects and diseases. — The solanaceous crops, 

 like other closely related groups, comprise a number of plants, 

 which are attacked by the same species of insects. These indi- 



FiQ. 18. — Tomato worm. 



viduals so readily adapt themselves to the different hosts that their 

 habits are apparently unchanged and in each instance similar 

 control measures are ordinarily practiced. 



The potato flea beetle is perhaps the most serious pest of the 

 newly set tomato, pepper, and eggplant. Leaves riddled with very 

 small round holes like fine shot, accompanied with small glistening 

 black beetles that jump when distiu-bed, identify the insect and 

 its work. 



The adult beetles pass the winter in rubbish, emerging in early 

 spring to feed on plantain or similar weeds until the cultivated 

 plants appear above ground or are transplanted. Eggs are de- 

 posited in the soil near the plants and from these hatch very small 

 grubs that feed on the roots, often causing serious injuries to 

 tubers or stunting the plant growth. 



Control : Bordeaux mixture. CL : 317. 



