In the control of insects and diseases that infest garden crops it is
often possible to accomplish a great amount of good by careful sanitary
management. In the autumn, after the crops have been harvested, or
as fast as any crop is disposed of, any refuse that remains should
be gathered and placed in the compost heap, or burned if diseased or
infested with insects. Several of the garden insects find protection
during the winter under boards and any loose material that may remain
in the garden. Dead vines or leaves of plants are frequently covered
with spores of diseases that affect those crops during the growing
season, and these should be burned, as they possess very little
fertilizing value.