The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-02-13
Garden Eaclnirs.

pllshed.-Mdnnt1g Times.
Garden Enemies.
In speaking Of the forces of plant
life, Nick's Magazine for May says the
cabbage is one Of the most important
vegetables, and its insect enemies are
numerous and destructive. The fol-
lowing are probably the most preva-
lent and mischievous of them. Gut
worms, or larv@ of several species Of
insects, are often very troublesome
when cabbage plants are set out.
They work at night, and eat through
the stem of the plants at the surface
Of the ground. Prof. Riley has lured
these creatures to their death, and it
can be done every time. The method
is to bait with poisoned leaves, laying
them over the surface Of the soil about
ten or fifteen feet apart, covering the
whole plat or field a few days before
planting. The leaves to be employed
are those Of cabbage, turnip, lettuce
or clover; tablespoonful Of Paris
green is mixed with pail Of water
and kept well stirred. In these the
leaves are dipped and then distributed
over the ground or the leaves can be
nloistened and then busted with Paris
green mixed with flour, in the proper
ton Of one part Of the poison to
twenty Of flour. Two such applica-
tions, three or four days apart, will
clear the field of cut-worms.
The common green worm that feeds
on the leaves Of the growing cabbage
plants can be easily destroyed, and at
little cost, by the use Of bubah, or
Persian insect powder, or a particular
preparation Of it which is sold in the
trade under the name of insect exter-
minator. This is applied in the dry
form, blown on with bellows adapted
to the purpose.
The cabbage fly, which deposits its
egg on the stems Of the young cab,
bage plants, is often very troublesome.
The maggots, when hatched out, work
into and downward through the stem
or groove along the bark, until they
reach the root, upon which they feed,
when the plant dies. One Of the best
remedies proposed is to scatter Stacked
lime, ashes or coal dust around the
stem Of each plant, leaving few
plants here and there through the
field unprotected, in order that the
flies may visit them and lay their
eggs. These plants the flies will seek
out and leave the others untouched.
The plants that have been visited will
soon show the effects of the insects,
and can then be pulled up and burned.
The squash-bug and the striped bug
that injure the leaves Of cucumber
and melon vines can both be kept
from doing injury by the application
Of insect poison, or insect extermina-
tor, to the leaves Of the plants; it can
be busted on or be rprinkled on, mixed
in water.
The squash root borer is destroyed
with saltpetre, an ounce to gallon
of water. Pour the solution on the
soil about the plants soon after the
young plants have come up, and re-
peat the operation two or three times
after intervals of four or five days.
This is sure preventive. Some
make the application only when the
plant shows signs by willing of being
attacked; the remedy is usually eff.
fective when thus employed, but it is
better to use it-in advance.
Turning now to the orchard and
fruit garden, We may mention the
fact, probably known to most Of our
readers, but which needs to be re-
peated and re-repeated until there is
something like general practical at
tention given it-that the codling
moth, the pest Of the apple orchard
can be successfully destroyed by syr-
inging the trees with Paris green and
water soon after the blossoms have
fallen and when the little apples,
newly formed, are held erect by their
fruit stems, calyx end up. The moth
lays its eggs in the calyx cavity, be-.
ginning even before the flower petals
have fallen; the larvae soon hatch out
and begin to cut their way in the
apple. One application Of the poison
Gus mixture is usually sufficient if
given very soon after the blossoms
fall. One pound Of Paris green 60
fifty gallons Of water is the proper
proportion. The powder will mix
better with the water if first wet up
and stirred into smooth paste. The
liquid can be applied by means Of
force pump made for this purpose.
Public opinion should shape itself to
regard as a misdemeanor the neglect
to destroy codling moth in this man
ner by any orchardist, or by any one
having apple trees in his garden.
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