Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-08-07
THE NEW POTATO RIG

The Practical Entomoogist gives an account of
the new Colorado potato bug, which is committing
much havoc in the potato fields of the Western
States:-
3" TO sum up all the known facts in a few words
this Colorado insect now occupies more or less
completely Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota.
Illinois and Missouri, shall be greatly deceived
if we do not bear of it in Indiana and perhaps in
Michigan during the season Of 1867.
" Mr.. Tilden, of Davenport Iowa, (the author
of the 'lilden tomato,) saws that he lost thirty
acres Of potatoes in 1866 by this insect and hardly
feels like going extensively into the business again
Mr. Suel Foster, OF Muscatne, in the same State,
thinks that they will have 10 give up growing po-
tatoes in that region Of country, and depend for
their supplies Of that vegetable upon those districts
which have not as yet been invaded by the bug
For himself he says that he does not propose 10
plant any potatoes at all in 1868, except a few
early ones, which he intends to start in a hot bed
and try to hurry forward to harvest by the fourth
of July.
:" There is no instance on record where having
established itself in any settlement, it afterwards
leaves that settlement and passes on elsewhere and
disappears Colonies are from time TO time push
ed forward in all directions especially toward the
unOccupided region that hes TO the eastward
But the old original homestead is never deserted.
Farmers and others viii govern themselves accor-
dinghy. Ga the whole 1 am satisfied that in
gion Of country which has been already fully occu-
upied and possessed by this little pest it will not
pay to attempt to grow potatoes in towns and
thlcky settled sections, where one is surrounded
10y neighbors who plant potatoes, and think it too
small business to make war upon such insig-
nihcant creature a bug. In that case, no mat
ter how much pains farmer may take to clear his
own vines fresh armies will be perpctually invad-
ing him from the fields of his less diligent neigh
bors, and finally he will have to give up in des-
par, and own himself beaten. The best chance is
where farm is located several miles from any po-
tato-growlng neighbor. ia such a situation Mr..
Brown, Of Woodberry county, Iowa, states that
he raised moderate corp in 1865, in spite of the
bug. As soon the first rows could be seem
he says, the bugs were found on nearly every
plant. days work at this time before eggs are
laid, is equal TO weeks of work later (Yes, for
these the ones that have passed the winter un-
der ground, and start the first brood.) These
earliest bugs were picked closely, but the first
week they increased. After this eggs were found,
but the bugs decreased in number with each pick
ing. small black winged, yellow bug appeared
soon after eggs were found aud fed upon them
rendering valuable assistance. probably some
species OF Lady y-bird) The good bug kindly
treated. There scarcely any potato-bugs
seen after the first OF July, but all that were
were destroyed
DO KlNG-BlRDS EAT HONEY BEES?
writer in the Northern New York journal is
inclined to think they do not aud that their char
acter has been unjustly aspcrsod. His theory is
that they eat the droncs, and not the workers
Tie says:-
"To fully satisfy myself that this bird when so
engaged feeds only upon the drones, | have watch
ed from covert near the scene of operations,
and seen him catch the drono from the worker
bees that were swarmng in every direction, and
afterwards shot him down, aud examined the con
tents of a well-lllrd stomach by the aid of a mi
croscopc. Although crushed aud torn, the ap-
pcarance Of the fragments fully assured me ia the
opinion that had observed correctly The brok-
en- pieces exhibited none Of the distinctive parts
OF the worker and all the peeuarities Of the drone
such as no sting in the posterOrs, short proboscis,
prominent eyes, hairy exterior, no pocket upOn
the legs 10 carry pollen, &e,"
During the present season he has watched PAIR
OF king-birds very narrowly; Not the least dis
position could discover in them TO feed upon
this insect until called by the loud humming Of the
drones; this was the signal for active operations.
Since which time they have promptly responded
to each call naniiestng as much correctness IN
their work as two boys spearing fish from shoal
BY torohlighl.n
Now, tie drono can only be called honey bee