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HAND BOOK FOR THE GARDEN 

THINNING 
Failure to thin out plants which are crowding each other is very 
frequently a cause of failure both with flowers and vegetables. This 
work should be done as soon as the plants are large enough to pull, 
before they become spindling. When thinning plants in the bed, it 
should be the aim to remove the centers of the thick bunches, leaving 
the spaces as uniform as possible. 
INSECTS 
In the Autumn after the crops have been harvested or as soon as 
any crop is disposed of, any refuse that remains should be gathered 
and placed in a compost heap or burned if diseased or infested with 
insects. Dead vines or leaves of plants are frequently covered with 
spores of diseases and they should also be burned. 
MOTHS 
Cabbage, Tomato, Pepper, Cauliflower and other similar plants 
may be protected from all kinds of insect pests that do not come 
from the ground by this simple method: Nail 18-inch pieces of lath 
around four stakes 20 inches long, about 6 inches above the sharp- 
ened ends. Drive the stakes into the ground around the plants till 
the lath rests firmly on the soil all the way around. Spread mosquito 
netting around and over the stakes. The lath will hold it to the 
ground and no bugs or worms can get to the plant. This interferes a 
little with cultivation, but it is so simple an arrangement that in the 
average home garden it can be removed for cultivation and replaced. 
Be sure to remove the netting when blossoms come, for unless you 
allow friendly insects to pollenate there will be no fruit. 
CUTWORMS 
The worst enemy of the small garden is the cutworm. The best 
way to get rid of him is to prevent his coming. The moth of the 
cutworm lays eggs in broad-leaved plants and other rubbish in the 
Fall. Clean the garden thoroughly in the Fall. Make a ‘‘fence’’ around 
the garden of six-inch boards held in place by stakes; this Keeps out 
marauders from neighboring sod. If you have been unable to take 
these precautions, plant vegetables in hills rather than in rows, as 
far as possible. Around each hill drive shingles sawed in two, four 
to five inches from the plant. When you set out the plants, surround 
them with shingles also. Shingles are better than paper collars. 
Inspect your garden thoroughly every morning. When you find a 
ruined plant, dig with a sharpened stick and kill the cutworm that 
lies concealed at its roots. 
A bran mash sweetened with molasses and poisoned with paris 
green is a good remedy. Mix one-half pound paris green with 10 
pounds bran and then add one quart cheap molasses. A little water 
may be added to stiffen the mash if needed. Place about a table- 
spoonful of this mash within 8-10 inches of the plants subject to 
attack in the evening. If placed closer, rain may wash the paris 
green aaa as the roots and injure the plants. Chopped up clover 
poisoned with paris green will serve almost as well. 
