BORERS tunnel! into the stems and 
roots of squash, pumpkins, cucum- 
bers, melons, corn, and other plants. 
Some borers hatch from eggs laid 
on plants; others migrate from 
weeds in the garden. Therefore keep 
the weeds down. Squash borers 
(illustrated) tunnel into vines and 
cause them to wilt and die. Reduce 
damage by spraying plants four 
times, at weekly intervals, with a 
strong solution of 1 part nicotine to 
100 parts of water, when the first 
blossoms appear. Borers can often 
be located in wilted vines by the 
yellow, waxy material near the 
point where they cut through the 
stem. Slit the stem at this point with a 
sharp knife, and crush or remove the 
borers. Immediately cover the stem 
with moist earth to prevent drying 
of the injured plant tissue. Water 
the vines frequently until new roots 
begin to form. Damage to corn by 
the European Corn Borer can be 
reduced by the application of rote- 
none spray: or dust. Get the insecti- 
cide into the center of the plant 
where the tassel forms, and between 
each leaf and the stalk. Four appli- 
cations 5 days apart, beginning 
about June 15, should be made on 
corn knee high or higher. 
13 
