CABBAGE APHIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14052, 3 May 1919, Page 7

CABBAGE APHIS.

(By “Bluegum.") II is recorded t.lial while Mark Twain held the position of nsricnltnr.il subeditor on tin* staff of an American newspaper, a correspondent, whose cabbages had been attacked by “the fly.” sent along this question: “What is good for cabbage. Hies?” “Cabbages, you fool!” answered Mark. Cabbages are equally good for spins and all members of the cabbage family (crueiferae) seem good food for this pest, that makes its attacks in such great numbers, and particularly during a dry spell. 1 have observed during the last week, in a section near the High School plots, the green aphis attacking a weed of the cabbage family known as wild mustard (lepidium ruderale i. This is a very common weed on roadsides, pasture land, cemeteries, railway tines, and oilier such nurseries not ieaily intended for weed propagation. As far as I can judge the aphides, when the school plots were practically cleaned of cabbages, attacked the neighbouring wild mustard plants that offered the next best food. It is evident, then, that when growing cabbages, turnips and other crops of this family this weed must not be overlooked, as it may form a breeding ground and jumping-off base for the enemy. “Shepherd’s Purse” (Capsella Bursa nastoris) is another weed of this family and should be likewise kept down. With' these preventative measures, as also direct attack by a contact spray, such as kerosene emulsion or tobacco wash, aphis should not worry the cruci"erous crops in small areas. In dry spells watering and thorough cultivation will keep up the vitality of the nlanls and render them less liable to attack.