The Cucumber 



287 



around the field and between the rows of late varieties. The 

 moths lay their eggs on the early plants, which should be pulled 

 up and destroyed as soon as the early squashes are har- 

 vested. Some growers make a practice of covering the stem 

 with earth two or three feet from the base in order that 

 the vine may throw out a new root system which will 

 sustain the plant in case the main stem is injured at the 

 base. 



Pickle worm (Diaphania nitidalis). — Restricted as a pest 

 to the Southern States; the yellowish-white caterpillars, 

 marked with numerous dark spots, are about % in. long when 

 mature. In the last stage the spots are lost. The adult is 

 a moth with yellowish brown wings marked with large irregu- 

 lar central spots of semi-transparent yellow. The eggs are 

 laid on the flower buds and tender opening leaves. At first 

 the la r Vie feed on the blossoms or buds but later burrow into 

 the fruit, often causing decay to result. Control: Spraying to 

 control this pest • has been unsuccessful. Clean farming and 

 the destruction of the vines after the crop is harvested will 

 help to decrease the number the following year. Waste fruits 

 and fallen leaves should also be destroyed. A short rotation 

 and the planting of a crop at a distance from fields infested 

 the previous year has not been found of much value as the 

 moths fly well from field to field. Much injury may be 

 avoided by planting early so as to have the crop mature before 

 the larvie become abundant. 



Melon aphis (ApJiis gossypii). — A yellowish or greenish 

 plant-louse that often occurs in great numbers on the under- 

 side of the leaves. In the winged forms the head and most 

 of the thorax is black. Control: Fumigation of the young 

 plants with tobacco or carbon bisulfide may be practised in the 

 garden. In large fields spraying is more practicable. The 

 vines should be trained to run in rows. Spray with " Black 

 Leaf 40" tobacco extract, % pint in 100 gallons of water in 

 which 5 or 6 pounds of soap have been dissolved. The first 

 application should be made as soon as the lice appear. A fine 

 nozzle with suflicient pressure should be used to give a fine 



