1444 The Vegetable Industry in New Yokk State 



insects 



The cauliflower is troubled with several insects. The imported 

 cabbage worm is one of the common pests. It eats large, irregu- 

 lar holes out of the leaves, generally working on the upper sur- 

 face. It is readily reached by dust or spray. The cabbage 

 looper, obtaining its name from the particular habit with which it 

 moves, eats both on the upper side and the lower side of the leaves. 

 The diamond back moth is a small caterpillar which works on the 

 underside of the leaf only and does not eat through. It is very 

 difficult to control this pest because of its habits. 



These leaf-eating insects are generally controlled by applica- 

 tions of spray material. The imported cabbage worm is best 

 controlled by spraying with arsenate of lead early in the season, 

 and later, when the heads have formed, with such remedies as 

 pyrethrum or hellebore. Hot water at a temperature of 130 

 degrees F. will also kill every worm that is reached without 

 injuring the plant. The looper is most satisfactorily destroyed 

 by dry poisons. A pound of paris green mixed with a pound of 

 flour is sufficient to dust an acre, sifted on the plants early in the 

 morning when they are wet with dew. The diamond back moth 

 can be controlled by the use of an elbow extension rod or an 

 angle nozzle to spray the under sides of the leaves with arsenate 

 of lead, six pounds to one hundred gallons of water. 



Cabbage aphis or louse are common pests, appearing gen- 

 erally in the seed bed. If not controlled, they multiply rapidly 

 on the older plants. They may be controlled with nicotine solu- 

 tion applied to the plant, beginning early in the season. Whale 

 oil soap is also a good remedy, one pound to six or seven gallons 

 of water. 



Cabbage maggot is often found on the crop. In the seed 

 bed it may be controlled by covering the bed with cheesecloth, 

 keeping out the fly that lays the egg which produces the maggot. 

 In the field we have no well tried remedy to control this pest. 

 A new one just recommended is one-fifth ounce white arsenic 

 dissolved in one gallon boiling water, and one pint cheap molasses. 

 Spray on the leaves in large drops. The fly is attracted to this 

 remedy and is killed by eating it. 



