PREFACE 
The present publication comprises a series of articles which have 
been issued in seven parts and are now brought together as a siiiLfl*- 
bulletin. It relates to a line of investigations begun in 1896, the 
earlier results of which were published in previous bulletins of the 
present series, in Yearbooks of the Department, and in circulars of 
the Bureau. The title, "Some Insects Injurious to Truck Crops," 
is used in a wide sense and includes insects injurious to sugar beet, 
since the same class of insects which affect this important crop also 
attack table beets and spinach. 
The initial article is the first treatment that has been given to the 
asparagus miner in a Government publication. The second article, 
entitled " Notes on the asparagus beetles," is a sequel to a general 
article on the asparagus beetles which appeared in the Yearbook for 
1896. It places on record all important new localities to date, and 
furnishes similarly the latest information in regard to remedies. The 
importance which has been assumed by the water-cress sowbug since 
1902 has necessitated the preparation of a publication covering this 
species, with suggestions for its control. The subject of water-cress 
insects has never been considered in a Department publication hith- 
erto, and similar treatment of the water-cress leaf-beetle to that 
furnished on the sowbug follows. The cranberry spanworm is given 
monographic treatment not hitherto furnished for it. It is an omniv- 
orous feeder, and has attracted attention on various crops, and 
especially on asparagus and strawberry. A similar article on the 
striped garden caterpillar, also an omnivorous form, completes 
Part III of the bulletin. 
The article representing Part IV is a detailed consideration of the 
sugar-beet leafhopper and of other affiliated species in their relation 
to the "curly-leaf" condition of the sugar beet. It was prepared by 
Dr. E. D. Ball while special field agent of this Bureau in Utah : he 
has been engaged on this work for a number of years. The semi- 
tropical army worm is the subject of Part V. It was the most trouble- 
some insect on truck crops in Florida during 1007, and was given 
detailed study from every possible standpoint by the authors. In the 
experiments with remedies, which were conducted by the junior 
author, Mr. II. M. Russell, a series of 15 trials was performed, proving 
that a spray of arsenate of lead is far superior to Paris green under local 
