Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-04-21
For the Richmond Compiler.

| For the Richmond Compiler.
DISCOVERY AND METHOD OF DesTRoyrys
] THE CORN WORM.
The farmers in Virginia, have long been
annoyed by the rayages of a worm, which
is to be traced early in the spring by its
destructive effects upon the corn, while il
/ is young and The stock tender. In this
stage of its growth, this pestiferious insect,
usually makes its appearance. Being an
enemy to distinction, it applies its tooth 10
the part of the, stock nearest The surface,
and levels it with the ground. From the
circumstance however Of its again speedi-
ly putting forth, it hes attracted much less
| attention than it would otherwise have
done. 1t never RECEIVERS from the shock it
has received ); but its wounds being no lon
. ger observable, the cause that produced
them is lost sight of, and forgotten. Tho
remarkable difference in the sies OF the
stock, is plainly observable over many
of orr fields, where the land is knows to
possess equal strength and richness ofsoil,
and the ear itself to be irtsrior, yet it
would seem, that the farmer is not unfre-
quently at loss to account for it.
May not so striking difference be rea-
sonably attributed to the cause already sta
ted ? Is it not fair inference, that the
vigor Of the plant must have been greatly
impaired by being cut off, no matter a.
hoo early stage Of its growth /? Is it then,
presumins too much, in tracing its proba.
bic effects even TO the year And is it
no: rational to conclude, therefore, that it
rarely, if ever, RECEIVERS from the deblta-
ting shock it has received?
The discovery Of the source from which
their propagation is derived, has been
made by farmer of Henrice-and is the
result of much observation and palms,
| There is to be found upon most of the
farms in Virginia. weed which is COM
monty known by the name Of the Hog
peed. Upon the body OF this weed, near
the surface ofthe ground, there is small
bulb or knot. On opening of this, it has
been discovered to contain a small wkite
1uorm. lnthe spring OF the year, the lands
are flushed and the weeds turned in but
the worm is seldom destroyed, owing to
the weeds not having thoroughly rooted,
or the ploughing been made sufficiently
deep to prevent the insect from working
its way through to the surface. The spring
sun soon penetrates the earth 20 the dis
lance at which they lay, and warmed into
activity by il, they are not long il setting
themselves free. Released from captivity,
they Immediately commence their destruc-
tive operations, which are persevered in,
until the rapid growth of the stock has Sc
cured it from the venom Of their attack.
The method recommended for destroy
ing them is, 20 fallow the land in the fall,
which you intend putting in corn. instead
of the usual practice Of doing 50 in the
spring. By this means they will be effec-
tually destroyed. Since the adoption of
this plan, my informant believes he has
sustained but little, if any, injury from
them.
Perhaps the subject may not be unwor-
thy the attention of the farmers generally
in Virginia. With the view to some posi-
sbls good, which may result from them
these hasty observations are respectfully.
submitted to the public eye,
TTLLER