CHAPTER IX 



methods of dealing with insect attack 



General 



I. Thorough Cultivation. — Deep digging and con- 

 stant hoeing not only in themselves tend to the 

 healthy growth and development of the plant, but 

 result in exposing many noxious insects to the 

 observation of birds, and in disturbing them so 

 that their depredations are lessened, and in some 

 cases, as with the wireworm in the pupal stage, they 

 are actually destroyed. Closely connected with this 

 is — 



II. Timely Application of Manures, such as 

 nitrate of soda, to bring the plants through a period 

 of attack and enable them to overcome to some 

 extent its effects. Special applications of I. and II. 

 are found in connection with the grubs of chafers 

 which feed on roots of almost aU sorts, wireworms, 

 leather-jackets, and Bibio (or St. Mark's flies), and 

 caterpillars of the garden swift moth. And of EC. iu 

 attacks of the turnip flea beetle and pea and bean 



116 



