14 
Insects. The first the Cauliflower has to contend with is 
the “Jack” or cabbage flea : then grub worms which often ruin 
a bed of plants in a few nights by running along the rows 
under ground or on the surface and nipping off the young and 
tender stalks ; then the aphis or blue louse. All these may be 
guarded against in a measure by following directions given 
under the head of “Sowing the seed and growing the plants,” 
but what we shall do with the flea, louse, cut worm and green 
worm after the plants are set in the field I cannot say. My 
experience has been that it pays to sprinkle the plants soon 
alter they are set and at short intervals with tobacco, lime, ashes 
or plaster as a preventive against fleas and lice, even when there 
may not be indications of a friendly visit from them. Black 
grubs or cut worms can only be conquered by persistent 
scratching, going over the plants every morning early, and 
where a leaf is drawn into the ground dig the “varmint” out 
and kill him. The green grubs or cabbage worms paid their 
respects to us within a very few years; they have not been 
plentiful this season, so let us hope they soon will have fulfill- 
ed their mission and be known no more. Many remedies are 
advertised and many have been tried, but none are infallible, 
except rank poisons which dare not be used, especially near 
the time of heading, but no doubt something will be discovered 
that will be sure death to insects and harmless to mankind and 
domestic animals. The ravages of the root maggot have made 
the growing of early Cauliflower, and even early Cabbages in 
many sections, almost an impossibility, but there is a remedy. 
When the maggot has attacked the roots of the plants, which 
may be known by a tendency of the leaves to wilt and droop in 
the heat of the day, very much the same as when affected by 
club root, dissolve Muriate of Potash (analyzing 45 per cent. 
actual potash) in water in the proportion of one tablespoonful 
to the gallon, or double the quantity of Kainit or common 
potash salts (13 per cent. actual potash). Apply this directly to 
the roots, about one gill to each and every plant whether seem- 
ingly affected or not, for the maggot will have done much harm 
before the plant will show it, repeating as occasion may seem 
to require, and in sections where these maggots have been prev- 
alent it will be well to make a solution of one half the above 
strength, and when the plants are nicely started apply in the 
same manner as a preventive. Care and judgment must be used 
not to overdo the matter, thereby killing the plants as well as 
the maggots ; experiment a little at first. 
