After flowering, if plants are being transplanted, any borers 

 in the roots Avill almost certainly be seen if the roots are shaken 

 out or washed off and examined. Sawdust-like exudations from 

 the hole where the borer entered are easily seen ; he may either 

 be cut out, or killed where he is with a stiff wire. I think the 

 former method preferable, as the roots may then be cleaned, 

 freed from the mass of moist product, and treated with per- 

 manganate solution (described under root rot), and safely 

 planted. A thorough forking over of the soil when replanting 

 is done later, is likely to destroy any pupae. 



A new method for control, which I have never tried, but which 

 is said to give 90 per cent or better results, is to spray the 

 young foliage, early in the spring, with a mixture of arsenate 

 of lead, 1 ounce ; fish-oil soap, 1 ounce ; water, 1 gallon. The 

 soap acts as a spreader or sticker, but probably casein or kayso 

 would do as well for this purpose. The spray should be re- 

 peated at intervals of a week or ten days, three or foui' times, 

 to keep the new growth covered thoroughly so the small worms 

 will be sure to get it when they first hatch out. Of course, it is 

 ineffective once they have burrowed within the leaves. 



Plants in the open garden, free to wind and sun, are not so 

 likely to be bothered by the borer as they are in closed places, 

 near walls or hedges, or growing with other plants in a border. 

 I have never known of any serious injury from the borer in a 

 commercial planting in an open field, but have heard occa- 

 sional damages reported. 



Cutworm 



Tliis universal pest does not bother plants in the garden or 

 border, as they are somewhat too stout for him, but he may do 

 serious damage among the seedlings. Tlie regular poison bran 

 mash, used to get cutworms in the vegetable garden, may be 

 applied here. There are several ready-prepared cutworm foods 

 on the market, or the poison mash may be made easily at home. 

 The formula recommended by the Department of Agriculture 

 is as follows : One-quarter pound white arsenic to a peck of 

 bran or "shorts". 



These are mixed together dry. To this dry mixture is added, 

 a little at a time, a gallon or so of water, in which a pint of 

 cheap molasses has been thoroughly stirred. After standing for 

 a few hours, this will be ready to apply by scattering in small 

 "gobs", so that it will not dry out too quickly, over the soil 

 surface just before dusk, as the cutworms feed at night. 

 Arsenate of lead or Paris green may be used in place of the 

 white arsenic if more convenient. 



-[14}. 



