New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-16
Z VOC . oottea Flanler..


TERREsoENE, Gse,, June, 1868.
.hr. Ed{to1+-There being some alarm among
cotton planters as to the probable apps aFanCe Of
the caterpfIer this season wouId wisH your
hlnd permission, make some few suggestions.
through your columns, in relation to means which
may IN some degree thwart hdufy employed, their
relentless course of devastation.
~ 10 well known to most Of the older cotton
planters that marked amelioration of the effects
q the Tayages of the cotton worm has been OBJ
y IN those fields contiguous to newly cleared
iabUt wherein, either Intentionally or accidentally
hres have been kept up at night In such places
| there are frequently piles Of brush and timber
raked up along the turn-rows, which, if they are
regularly Kept burning during the appearances OF
| the moth, would destroy millions Of prona atora
of caterpilleFs, which might otherwise he sDread
over the adjoining fields
Nay, it Is my opinion, that It would he means
judiciously expended, were those who are ,fntey
ested in cotton growing to employ certain force
TO cut wood and keep up bright fires Of nights, for
several weeks, during the moth season. along the.
borders of their cotton fields.
All have observed with what inevitable and
reckless precipitancy, the insect creation on dark
nights dash themselves into the fame of candle
or other fires within their reach. Thus il may BE
perceived that this mark of their nature may be
put to good account in the case of the moth and
millions Of the cotton devouriDg worm may be des
troyed IN this way.
One moth produces thousands Of caterpilIars.
ana me death OF one moth, is of consequence, the
In this connection we would suggest a sort of
trap cOntriVance in the shape of a field lanp for
the destruction Of the MOTH which NAV be CON
structed at the timers or on the plantation at a
comparatively small expense. The description of
IT is as follows: Take square piece Of board or
tin, say II by II inches erect on the corners four
posts, half an inch or more in thickness with two
grooves at sufficient angles, for the purpose or
allowing the insertion Of four glass plates or
sides, Common window panes may be used for
this purpose,1 over this frame erect hip roof of
tin or wood, attaching it to the frame by means Of
small pieces of wire or pegs Of wood, allowing
the ewes to project an inch and a half or two
inches over the edge of the glass Sides and
leaving bat half inch intervening between the
rocf and sides, as passway for insects
Finally, bore hole in the center Of the fioor OF
the frame, for the insertion of little square post
three OF four inches high, and one inch square,
with small staples of wire or tin to receive the
hooks OF four small tin refectoFs. Now, if four
small lamps be placed on the floor Of this sfmnIe
eontTiyance, and before the reaectors, and set
burning, and then placed in the center of the cot
ton field infested with moths, it will soon be OBJ
served that thousands of the insect world will he
attracted by ita glare, providing the night be a
dark one,) and lighting on its sides, viii flutter
their way mp the side 20 the top of them and finally
topple over into the heated chamber to sufioeate
by the gases withfn. We would advise the use Of
coal oil for the lamps.
The trial Of this lamp Is a simple and cheap ex-
pertinent and we think ii behooVes those inter
essed in cotton planting to try it, as it can be
easily made by any one of the least mechanical
TURF Yours sfwGRMLEY. n