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to control tlie pest when it has spread over tlie field and when the 

 plants have obtained considerable growth. Xot so however if 

 methods of destruction were begun upon its first appearance in 

 the field when the young plants have but little growth and foliage. 

 Spraying at this time will generally save the plants and allow 

 them to grow strong enough to withstand the later broods. 



The Orange Aphis {Mysus citricidus) is another psst which 

 has caused some inquiry, and has annoyed the grower. This pest 

 however is not generally serious enough to cause alarm, only the 

 growth of the young trees w^ould be checked by the attack." Our 

 numerous predaceous insects feeding on this species very soon 

 check their numbers. Truck crops are of course constantly trou- 

 bled by Aphids and it is generally the small grower or individual 

 who has his patch of vegetables who really notices the damage 

 more than the one who has large acres to handle. Spraying with 

 soap solutions when the plants are small will tend to relieve the 

 situation. 



Ants. 



We have three common ants which have given much trouble 

 to the householder, and our assistance has been demanded quite 

 frequently. The common black ant (Pheidole megacephala) is 

 more of a garden pest, but frequently invades houses in search 

 of food. The small dark house ant (Monomorium floricola) and 

 the small yellow ant (Alonom'orium pharaonis) are both usually 

 found in the pantry or wherever food is stored. These ants are 

 not injurious to plants although many think so. When ants are 

 crawling up into the plant or tree, they are in search of a colony of 

 mealy bugs or plant lice to gather from them the honey dew, the 

 sweet liquid which they exude. Ants frequently loosen the soil 

 around young plants especially near the base and cause them to fall 

 over. The black ant particularly has become very numerous, 

 especially in dry situations, and has caused considerable annoy- 

 ance to the housekeeper. 



Fighting ants in the house may be done in two ways, first, 

 by protecting food material from their attack. This can be done 

 by the use of dishes containing water into which the legs of 

 tables, ice-chests and cupboards may be placed, or tying bands, 

 which are soaked with ant poison, around the legs of tables and 

 other furniture. A very important step is to keep the premises 

 clean and not allow bread crumbs, bits of meat or other particles 

 of food to remain on the floor or table, which will contiiitlv 

 attract the ants. Second, and probably more satisfactory in the 

 end is to endeavor to kill off the colonv after finding the nest. 

 Trapping ants with sponges moistened with either sweetened 

 water or diluted bouillon and placed where ants swarm gives good 

 results. After the sponges are covered with ants they can be 



