THE BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY IX 1920. 49 
The leaf hopper, previously mentioned as a carrier of curly-top, is 
frequently very destructive indirectly. After feeding upon diseased 
plants it punctures the leaf blades or leaf stems of healthy beets with 
its slender beak and injects into the plant some substance or organism 
which exerts a decidedly unfavorable effect upon its growth. 
Among insects working in or near the roots are cutworms, wire- 
worms, and white grubs, all of which are very destructive. White 
grubs are abundant in sod land; therefore such lands should not be 
selected for growing sugar beets. Wireworms and cutworms as a rule 
are more destructive early in the season while the beets are small. 
They frequently destroy the stand to such an extent that replanting 
is necessary. Cutworms come from the surface of the ground and 
cut off the plants during the night. Poisoned baits, prepared and 
applied according to directions which will be furnished by the 
Bureau of Entomology, are practically perfect remedies. Wire- 
worms usually follow the row of young beets when they have begun 
their work of destruction, and since they usually remain in a row a 
second planting should be made in the same direction, so that the 
rows are parallel and several inches from the original planting, with- 
out harrowing or disking. If this method is pursued the second 
planting will often become so large that little wireworm damage will 
be done. Other remedies, however, are necessary. 3 
The false chinch bug is a serious enemy to seed beets, frequently 
appearing in immense numbers and working on the growing tender 
seed stalks and leaves. When present in large numbers it frequently 
absorbs by suction so much of the vital juices of the plant that either 
the seed stalks are destroyed or the seed fails to mature. This insect 
may be controlled in limited areas by the use of contact sprays, such 
as nicotine sulphate, 40 per cent, or fish-oil soap. The false chinch 
bug usually makes its first appearance on a small number of plants. 
Gathering the bugs from these plants and destroying them is very 
helpful in controlling this pest. 
BY-PRODUCTS. 
The principal by-products connected with sugar-beet growing and 
beet-sugar production are the beet tops, pulp, and lime. The first two 
of these have already been considered under live stock. The lime is 
an important by-product of the mill used in purifying the juice in 
the process of separating the sugar from the nonsugars in solution. 
For this purpose limestone is obtained and burned. The limestone 
should be as pure as it is possible to find it and should be thoroughly 
3 See Bulletin 123. Bureau of Entomology. U. S. Dept. Agi\. " A preliminary report on 
tlic sugar-beet wireworm," 68 p., 23 pis., 9 figs. 1914. (Superintendent of Documents. 
Washington, D. ('.. price 25 rents.) 
568) 10°— Bull . 91 (.I— 21 4 
