The southern press., 1850-10-07
No. 90.
From the Columbus Enquirer.
Destruction of the Boil Worm.

Dear Sir III left home with the intention of
attending, on my way home, the Agricultural
Fair at Atlanta, but on my arrival here learned
there was no public conveyance in that direction,
so shall be compelled to forego that pleasure.
have Just returned from Baden Springs in
this State whers | saw planters from Perry,
Marengo, Dallas, and othercountes of this State,
and Mississippi, all of whom represent the pre-
sent growing crop of cotton as being at least
two weeks behind that of last year. This has
been produced from several causes. First the
early planting WAS greatly retarted IN growth by
the cold wet spring, an insect; the late planting,
n good deaf of which was in May, and some in
June, has not had time to develop itself The
rains in the early part of July gave great inn
petus to its growth, but with little tendency to
iructfy MS they became more moderate the
fruit began TO develop itself, and the hope was
being entertained that pretty fair crop might
yet be made. More recently, and at this writing,
we are suffering from drought of four weeks,
of the most intensely hot weather that ever
experienced. From the 10th day of July to this
time, the thermometer has ranged from 92 to SO
deg. from 9 a. m. TO P. m. without rain enough
to settle the dust in this whole section Of conn
try, with the exception Of one or two isolated
spots. Previous to this drought the young crop
and most Of the old had become exceeding!,
foul, and the poug md hoe have been indispens
able in removing the grass, weeds, &c, whicl
ut this season of the year under the existing
drought has been quite Injurious to the crop
causing it To wither and east its fruits. In th,
meantime the Doll Worm has commenced it.
ravages, and can now be traced to bols two
thirds gvown. The dry weather is thought to
be unfavorable to their increase, yet many plan
ters are engaged in endeavoring to Kill the Fly
that deposits the egg Theplan is anovel one and
as it is like y to prove successful I'll mention il
Plates (eithcr tin or earthern) are distributed
| throughout the fields, by being placed on stakes
or stobs the height of the cotton, one to every
two 90 three acres some say five, but it is clear
that the thicker they are the better. In these
plates mixture of Molasses and Vinegar is put
SAY to one gallon ofthe former, and one quart
of the latter. 1t is believed that it is the vinegar
that attracts them, and whilst they are attempt
ing TO feed upon the mixture they are caught
by the adhesive quality of the molasses. as
sisted last evening in setting about twenty plates:
this morning they averaged over thirty flies to
the plate. We added little cobalt to several
OF the plates, supposing some might partake OF
| the bait without being caught; we saw no difle-
renee so far as the surrounding dead was con-
cerned. To day we are setting baits ever the
entire crop, l30 acres here, and 900 acres on
two other plantations. The unparalleled sue
cess with all have met with who have tried it,
has brought into requisition every plate and
| timer throughout the country The fields are
| literally swarming with flies, making their ap-
pearance about sun set, and closing in, suppose
about sun rise. The plan must succeed in cx-
terminating them entirely, if adopted generally
and BY commencing hereafter in our corn fields
about the time the corn begins to shape for roast
| ing ears, as it is generally admitted here tha,
they are the same that prey upon the cogn.
will close this by remarking that @"tcrops
from Columbus here, as far as | have acen o
have been able to learn. is far from promising
large yield. The stand is universally imperfect
and many crops have not more than trcetourth'
of a good stand
| hope our Agricultural Society will not re
port through committee, or otherwise, as to Til
prosperity of the crops--as nothing can be NOR
uncertain--wllilst it might to some extent mis-
lead public opdon In haste, yours respect
fully, b. A. SORSBY.