Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1868-07-24

The POTATO BUG.-The potato bug,
which has for some years past proved so
destructive to that crop in some of the
western States, has made its appearance in
Western New York. Very likely the bugs
will find their way into New England in n
year or two, as they seem to be marching
from West to East and we make some ex-
tracts from an article in regard to them
which appears in the Rochester Express:
1.-THE pest has only been known to civili-
cation very few years, and since its first
Introduction it has spread with wonderful
rapidity from west to east. 1t was found
some years ago by travellers across the
plains feeding on some wild vines near the
foot of the Rocky Mountains, where it may
have existed for ages waiting for civiliza-
ton to give full scope to its work of devas
tation. The bug was not found in large
quantities, and beyond the fact that it was
very poisonous, very little attention was
paid to it, and nobody regarded it as dan
gerous enemy. But so soon as potatoes be-
gan to be cultivated, the insect found its
natural food and home, and has wonder
fully increased Whole fields were eaten
down, and it is very probably true that to
the ravages of this insect the high prices of
potatoes, and to some extent of other food,
have been due.
In 1866 they appeared in immense num-
beers in Wisconsin and Illinois, as they had
before in the States further west. Last
year Qs'iI,) without any warning, they
crossed Luke Michigan into Michigan, and
did grea. damage, and already, at least one
year belur, we had expected them, they are
here in Western New York. Large guam
titles Of Michigan potatoes were brought
cast las. spring, and it is probable that the
eggs my have been brought with them;
but, however they came there, there can be
no at in, ~ N-nn fnrt or
in Western New York Will have more than
enough to do in fighting them. 1t is said,
AS showing how prolific they are, that one
female has produced as many as one thous-
and eggs, and several broods are Matched
in season.
Mr.. c. Smith Benjamin, of this city,
found his vines covered a few weeks ago
with this small yellowb backed bug, and he
ut first thought that his whole crop was de-
stroyed: but concluded he would make an
effort to save it by busting his vines liber-
ally with ashes, Il mixture of coal and
wood. He did So and the bugs have en-
trely disappeared, while the vines seem as
thrifty and healthy as ever. If this exper-
iment shall prove equally successful every
where, it will be a cheap and not very diff
ficult remedy for the evil. Wood ashes are
very beneficial to the potato as fertilizer,
and ought to be applied without reference
to the bug. In the way the experiment
was tried it is impossible to tell whether
the wood ash or the coal ash effected the re-
suit; but we presume that wood ashes, of
which most farmers have great abund-
ance, will prove an efficient remedy. 1t
will not do to crush the bug by hand, or
even with implements, as they are not on
ly too numerous, but the poisonous exha-
lations will produce sickness and even
death. Near Sank City, Wis, and several
places in Minnesota, we have heard of the
death of persons caused by handling the
hlUl n hrpathinp the have
been burned. One man was poisoned so
that he died by eating a few Strawberries
that he picked after brushing the bugs off
the vines with his hands. Great care must
be taken in destroying the bug to do so
without coming in contact with it,