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VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



9. Combating insects and diseases. — Anumberof insectsattack 

 sweet corn, such as wire worms, white grubs, or sod worms, destroy- 

 ing young plants soon after germination. Lice or other sucking in- 

 sects, or climbing caterpillars, among which are army worms, the 

 corn earworm, and stalk borers, cause much injury in some seasons. 



Fig. 70. — Cornroot web worm; work Fig. 71. — Injury by corn earworm. 

 on young corn. 



The corn earworm is probably the most important insect 

 enemy of sweet corn. It will live on almost any vegetable crop, 

 but has a particular liking for tomatoes. Injuries are caused 

 by the dull greenish or brown striped caterpillars which hatch 

 from eggs deposited in the corn silk and gradually work through 

 into the ear, feeding first on the outer kernels and later probably 

 damaging a large portion of the ear. Control measures suggested 

 are dusting, early planting, and spraying of tomatoes. 



