Combating Plant Enemies 
ur gardens’ ultimate success does not depend 
entirely on the selection of the plant material 
best suited to the locality, nor even the prepa¬ 
ration of the soil, but largely on the ability 
to recognize the danger when plants first 
show signs of being "sick”, to be familiar with the symptoms and 
to be ready to apply first aid with the necessary remedies. 
There are several distinct causes for the drooping of the leaves 
or for their slow turning from the living green to the sere yellow 
which foretells ultimate destruction of the plant, such as the 
dreaded mildew and other fungus diseases. Yet, often the real 
trouble is caused by some type of insect. When one has learned to 
recognize that effect which is caused by those insects that suck 
the very life from the leaves and stems, and the one caused by that 
group that chew the foliage to destroy it, and has become familiar 
with the remedies to be applied for each distinct kind of trouble, 
the battle is half won. 
Then there are also a number of large bugs and worms that must 
be dealt with in a different manner. Some can only be killed with 
poisoned bait, while more often cut-worms must be located and 
dug from the ground where they have hidden after a night of 
feasting. 
The mildew and other fungus diseases seem to be caused largely 
by climatic conditions. It is very much better to use preventive 
measures than to wait until the plants become affected where one 
has reason to believe the disease will occur. 
This type of trouble reaches the plant from outside contact by 
means of bacteria and spores. These quickly spread over the entire 
Study Plant 
Enemies and 
Remedies 
Learn to 
Recognize 
Causes of 
Trouble 
Pests are 
Varied 
Some 
Diseases 
Are 
Prevent¬ 
able 
Method of 
Combat 
215 
