Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-06-25

and inexpensive coycBing oil light mate
rial, such as cheese cloth. 1t is only
tor Il short time that melons of the en-.
curbid group are attacked by these in
sects, hence it is in order TO do every
thing to encourage the rapid growth Of
the plants by the use OF quickly avail
able fertilizers. The writer has found
thar as a secondary remedy very fine
road dust in which a few drops of tur-
pentine has been added, frequently dust
ed over the melon vines, acts effectively
in keeping down these beetles as well Is
other melon insects.
The Pickle Worm.
The cantaloupe growers of this state
suffer more loss from the pickle worm
CMargaronia nitidals Cram than from
any other insect. 1t appears in great
numbers some years, followed by sea
son or two in which it will hardly be
found, has caused many questions to be
asked regarding its life history The eggs
are laid by a moth about three-fourth5
of an inch in length They are usually
placed upon the flowers buds or tender
portions of the vines of cucumbers and
cantaloupes The eggs hatch in from
four to six days. The newly Matched
forms feed upon the leaves and stems.
! They begin eating the melons after the
first moult and continue until they pu-
pate. A round hole is eaten in the cen
ter of the cantaloupe; some OF the CEN
ter is also eaten, and the whole melon
/ is ruined for market. In year in which
these insects are plentiful they mean
fully rs per cent loss. The pupa is
formed in debris or in a folded leaf and
from this the mature moth energies.
! There are at least four broods OF this
insect in this state. They pass the win
ter in the pupa stage above the ground,
and emerge very late in the spring into
yellowish-brown night-Ilying moth.
Remedies: Since the pupa passes the
winter above ground, it follows that the
destruction of all the vines as soon rs
the crop is off, will prevent many moths
from emerging. Deep blowing will also
destroy many of the wintering forms.
1t is also advantageous to plant the can
taloupes early. Experiments by Quaint
ance and others prove that the squash
planted as catch crop works success
fully. The squash is planted so the eggs
of the pickle moth can be deposited in
its bloom and vines. Before the young
become grown all the squash vines are
destroyed.
The Squash Vine Border.
The adult of this insect is one of the
clear winged moths which measure about
one and a quarter inches across the wing,
The eggs of this moth are laid upon all
parts of plants, but most especially upon
the stems near the base. In from 10 to
IA days the eggs hatch and the young
Immediately enter the main stem of thJ
melon and eats its way through the stem
causing the willing and dying of the
vine. 1t is plain to see that no poison
could be used in controlling the insect
feeding as it does on the inside of the
vine. About the only effective methods
of control are cultural The vine,
should be raked up and destroyed after
the crop is gathered. In that this in
sect passes the winter in the soil neal
the vine, deep fall and early spring
blowing would destroy large numbers
Rotation is also an effective means
This insect attacks squash more thar
any other cucurbits and is especially
fond of summer squash, and this is fre
quently used as catch crop with latei
varieties When the early squash is high
ly infested the vines should be destroyed
thus killing many of the developing Dor
ers.
The Melon Louise.
The melon louise, a small piercing in
sect, is especially bad in seasons lik,
the present. A mild winter, followe,
by cool, damp spring, greatly increase
, their development, and it is likely thai
this pest will rank among the chief one
affecting the melons this year. A sim
| liar insect on grain, known as the "greal
, bug" has been exceptionally ba,
, throughout the south this season. Whel
weather conditions are dry and there l.
, plenty of sunshine a small bee as a par
aste on these forms an effective agen
= in keeping them in control. As treat
ment for controlling this louise a stron,
= liquid of tobacco and soap solution will
! if applied early, work admirably in con
e trolling the insect. There is a Tobacco
S product in use today known as "Blacl
t Leaf 40" Three pints OF this solution
T. mixed with three pounds of soap an
( diluted with 100 gallons OF water an
/ applied to the vines will control tn
E louise, The road dust with a few drog
+ OF turpentine frequently busted over tn
{ vines will also help in controlling thi
i insect