Cutworms 



431 



The name army-Avorm is restricted to four or five species in 

 which this habit is pronounced. 



Control of cutworms. 



The means employed for the control of cutworms varies 

 according to the crop, the conditions under which it is 

 grown and on the habits of the species causing the injury. 



In small vegetable-gardens and greenhouses hand-pick- 

 ing may be practiced to advantage. Careful watch of the 

 plants should be kept and whenever injury is noticed the 

 soil around the base of the plants should be searched and 

 the cutworms destroyed. Shingles or small boards laid 

 about the beds will form attractive hiding places for the 

 worms during the day; here they may be easily found and 

 destroyed. When such plants as tomatoes are transplanted, 

 they may be protected by using cardboard or tin cylin- 

 ders sunk a short distance in the soil. Tin-cans with the 

 top and bottom removed are convenient for this purpose. 

 Greenhouses often become infested by cutworms in the 

 rotted sod used in the beds. This may be prevented by 

 sterilizing the soil with steam before using. 



Probably the most practical, cheap and convenient 

 method of cutworm control is the use of poisoned baits. 

 These may be employed equally as well in the home garden, 

 greenhouse or in the field. A bait made according to the 

 following formula is effective against the variegated cut- 

 Vv^orm and others of similar habits: 



Bran 20 pounds, 



Paris green .... 1 pound, 



Molasses ...... 2 quarts, 



Oranges or lemons ... 3 fruits, 



Water 3 gallons (about). 



