CHAPTER X 



Insect Pests and Diseases. 



The most annoying and persistent, as well as destruc- 

 tive pest of Sweet Peas is certainly aphis, or green fly. 

 Red spider is also troublesome under certain conditions. 

 The subjugation of these, however, is discussed on page 70, 

 under fumigation and spraying. Snails, eelworm, striped 

 Potato beetle, and climbing cutworms have also all to be 

 reckoned with. The eelworm spreads what is called the 

 root knot disease, which cripples the roots by drawing upon 

 their sap and injuring their tissues, and swellings aie also 

 produced. The cutworms may be picked from the plants 

 at night while they are feeding, or poisoned baits may be 

 placed about. One of the best is a mash of bran arsenic. 

 This can be made by mixing one part of white arsenic with 

 one part of sugar, and adding sufficient water to form a 

 mash. Place this about among the plants so that the 

 cut worms may eat it. Dusting with soot and lime is 

 advised against snails. 



As to the fungous diseases, it is a somewhat general but 

 erroneous belief that the Sweet Pea is usually free from 

 them. Certainly, if the utmost care is taken in its culti- 

 vation, much can be avoided. Nevertheless, even with 

 the closest attention a collapse may occur because of 

 Anthracnose or Sclerotinia disease. These are undoubted- 

 ly to be carefully guarded against. Taubenhaus mentions 

 having found Sclerotinia Iibertinia, which resembles in all 

 appearances the damping-off fungus of Lettuce seedlings 



