Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-06-23
Aorifultmral.
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
POTATO Bug.


The Detroit Post says: The rlvages of
the potato bug are already exciting con-
siderable alarm among farmers in different
portions Of this State, and fears are enter
tanned Of their ALMOST emit ely destroying
the crop in some sections. Mr., j. > lib.
bits, of Livonia, Wayne county, stated to
us yesterday that in his neighbOrhood the
bugs are making sad work with the leaves
and tops of the earlier variety CT potatoes.
The farmers used great care in picking of
the bugs that first appeared, and in cutting
Oft and burning all leaves, so tar as they
could discover them, upon which eggs had
been laid But the propagation OF
the insects is altogether too rapid to
allow Of their being destroyed
etfectually. A single bug lays,
sometimes, as many as seven thousand
eggs, which hatch very speedily, and in a
very short time the young bugs commence
upon the leaves. The eggs are laid upon
the under side of the leaves; in short
| time the leaf will, in very curious manner
twist itself around, and bring the eggs up
/ permost, when the sun will hatch them.
Mr. Tibbitts showed us some of the tops
of tie Early Rose potato, upon which were
the small bright, yellow eggs, and bugs in
all the different stages of growth. He and
his neighbors have done their best to get
rid of the pest, but are afraid the bugs
will keep ahead of them till the end of the
season.
With reference to these insects, the last
number of the Hearth and Home says;
What remedy is there
First. Capturing and destroying them.
An interesting account of Mr. Cages strug-
gle with the may be found in the Michi-
gan Agricultural Report, PIP. l7l-lS4. He
fought them by hand, but was at last com
PEELED to give over by reason of their null
titude. When gathered in pan, they are
often destroyed by pouring hot water upon
them; but in such case the fumes have
sometimes proved poisonous. machine
has been contrived which may be dragged
along the rows, and by properly adjust
ed reel, knock the bugs into receptacles
prepared Tor them.
Second. A busting of the vines, while
wet with dew, with Paris green or with
white hellebore, has in many instances
proved efficacious
Third. The planting of some special
sort of potato which the bug is found to
prefer, will frequently save an adjoining
crop, since this pirate is found to be very
strong in his prejudices. The main hope
of relief must come, however, We suspect,
from the multiplication of parasites. OF
what these are, and what their habits we
shall make authoritative mention in al
early paper
How DRAINING MAY Cosr NoTHING. -
Says contributor to an exchange. | am
satisfied there are great many farmers
who would do good jobs at draining if they
knew how and where to begin, and if they
could find the time. Many farmers dc
most of their work themselves, only hiring
a little by the day at the busy seasons,
and Of course pay round price for it. i
they would hire by the month, they coulG
of course get the men much cheaper a,
the day laborer has to get pay for the idle
days by charging extra prices for the day,
he works, My advice and practice have
been to hire help and give constant EN-
ployment for the time agreed upon. Their
when there is no regular farm work press
ing | commence a drain. / begin at the
lower end and work up hill, keep
ing the bottom nearly level till get &
depth OF four feet; then keep it not less
than that depth, letting the water run of
behind me. This ditch digging
keep as knitting work, as it can be taken
mp at any time when there is nothing else
to do, and can be left as readily. If have
any haying to do and do not wish to start 8
machine till the dew is off, | say to my
man, "You may go to your knitting worl
till call you" If shower stops worn
on the hay, or if it is too wet to hoe, or
have Just finished some job and do not
want to begin apother to-day, | say, "W(
will dig in that drain till chore time"
If | am going away with my team, lei
my man dig in the ditch. Indeed, should
have found great many days when
should have had nothing for a man to dc
had not had piece OF draining on hand
Then again, had not had steady hired
man, my regular farm would have suffered
severely at times. SO the plan seems &c
work well all around. The man is sure OF
constant employment and gets as much in
a month as if he worked by the day, and
get more work for the same pay and the
man is Just as well satisfied. He makes
more time, but runs no risk OF being unem
ployed.
WHEN Nor TO EAT Never eat when very
much fatigued. Wait until rested.
Never eat Just before you expect to en-
gage in any severe mental or physical ex.
ercise.
Never eat while in a passion, or while
under any great mental excitement, wheth-
er of a depressing or elevating character.
Never eat inst before taking q bath OF any