I'm not sure if the image is big enough for you to see. I can't figure out how to make the picture small enough so it will be accepted but big enough for people to actually see it.

But the things I'm referring to look like little chopped up pieces of green corncobs. About a quarter inch long. Bigger than the pictures I've seen of a hornworm egg, which looks to be to be like a little round ball. These look different. I will try to post another picture.

Sorry, can't see any detail at all.

Are we supposed to be looking at something on the soil or on the leaf (which is where the eggs of caterpillars would be)?

After putting my Mr.Magoo glasses on and getting my swami crystal ball out, I am going to say that you are observing some nice caterpillar frass. Poop.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1187695}}

The two sphinx moths that lay the eggs that hatch into the Tomato Hornworm lay those eggs on the plants not on or in the ground. The moth that lays the eggs that become the Tomato Fruitworm also lays its eggs on the plant, not the ground.
The simplest way to post pictures for our viewing is to use one of the places like photobucket and provide a link to that picture. Some people do post pictures here that are quite large so there must be some way to do that.

how to post a pix
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hosta/msg0513322013993.html?14

Here is a link that might be useful: how to post images

I'm stickin' to my theory that her "little chopped up pieces of green corn cob" is caterpillar frass, lol. You can see it if you enlarge the image with the center wheel on the mouse.

Hello all. Thanks for your input and trying to see the photo. Next time I'll use photobucket.

With some help from Rhizo1, I think we have solved the mystery. We believe it is (drumroll please)........caterpillar poop! Ha, ha. Thanks for all your help everyone.

That rhizo sure knows her sh...,er, uh, frass. ;-)
And keen eyes, to boot.

tj