324 Sweet Corn. Okra. Martynia 



The large varieties of okra should go in rows 4 to 5 ft. 

 apart, and the plants may stand 12 to 36 in. in the row ; the 

 dwarf varieties may go as close as 3 ft., and 10 to 15 in. in 

 the row. Sometimes the crop is grown in hills, after the way 

 of corn, 2, 3 or 4 plants standing together after the thinning. 

 If land is abundant, the rows for large sorts may be as much 

 as 5 ft. asunder. Seeds are covered 1 to li/^ or 2 in. deep. 



The okea caterpillar (Anomis erosa). — A pale pea-green 

 looking caterpillar, about 1^/4 in. long, inconspicuously marked 

 with five narrow broken yellowish lines above and with a 

 broader yellowish white stripe on each side. The young cater- 

 pillars eat out small holes in the leaves and the older ones 

 irregular areas in the side, often defoliating the plant. Con- 

 trol: When the caterpillars first appear, spray with arsenate 

 of lead (paste), 2 lbs. in 50 gallons water or, to avoid the 

 danger of using an arsenical, " Black Leaf 40 " tobacco extract, 

 10 ounces to 100 gallons water, in which 5 or 6 lbs. soap have 

 been dissolved, may be used. 



Corn eae-wobm (Heliotliis oisoleta). — The corn ear-worm 

 often attacks the pods. See under Sweet Corn. Control: Plant 

 a row or two of corn near the okra to serve as trap crop. 

 It should be cut before the caterpillars reach maturity. 



Gray haib-streak BtrTTERFLY (TJranotes meUnus). — The 

 slug-like caterpillars of this dainty blackish blue-gray butterfly 

 sometimes injure the buds and leaves. If necessary they may 

 be controlled by spraying with arsenate 'of lead. • 



Spinach aphis (Mygus persicm). — See under Spinach. 



Melon aphis (ApMs gossypH) . — See under Cucumber. 



Okra is a hot-weather plant, cultivated as an annual, 

 the seeds being sown each spring. It is commonly 

 grown in the Southern States, where its partially matured 

 pods are in much demand for soups and stews, and salads 

 are made from the boiled tender pods. These pods must 

 be cut when still tender and pulpy, before they have de- 



