The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1870-04-02
Death to Cotton Worms.

Our remarks about the great enemy of
the cotton plant. the caterpillar, some
weeks ago, have called forth several
communications on the subject, llirh,
We hope, may have proved useful to
those most principally Interested in the
important question:, viz the most ELI
ci~nt means in making war upon and
breaking the destructive power of the
little insect intc>llng our cotton fields
\ .cutlrman, VIII" has devoted rnu>lu-
crabl,. time t. this matter, " Which j. Of
the utmost Importance to n.. "i the 5zz,.,ti,
MIR. Charles Stcllllnnn. OF NlTulrun-
Vile, Assumption parish-called ON us
Yesterday, and gave Us, as the result of
careful and labo:ous study and expert
ments. interesting Statements in regard
TO what he considers the best mode of
destroying the cotton worm.
Mr.. Steinmann is the inventor and
patcntec OF IA cotton worm ut>truyrr-
an invention that may be destined to
prove beneficial to our rural population.
1t consists of an ordinary steam boiler
provided with Il novel arrangement Of
tubes or pipes for the l>tributi"n of the
steam generated 10y it, and ii reservoir or
tank to contain the fluid, which latter
is secret OF the inventor. This ir>rr-
voir is supplied with mechanics! apprn-
dagts for the proper htstoWul and dis
trihution of the fluid. The whole COM
binati"n is placed upon IA frame with
wheels, in order tliat the machine may be
easily tranSpnrtahle in its operations
against the cotton worm.
In regard to the operation of the ma
chine, We learn that, after the boiler and
heater have been supplied with water.
and the tank with fluid, steam is raised
and the machine placed in position to
begin work between two rows "t cotton.
The steam passes through the fluid and
transforms it into vapor, which, infer
mingling AND. spreading out with til"
steam, envelopes the pr"ximate rows of
cotton plants, and Kills every caterpillar
or other insect upon them. It's effect i,
said to he So deadly that it also IcStruyrS
the eggs of the worm. and leaves it's mark
Invisible to- the naked rye-ul,nn every
part of the plants which have been bath
cd with it. Through this agency. Wuln,s
which may afterwards come INTO the
field from other quarters, are kept OF.
thus shielding The plant against iDltl.rr
injury 10y any newcomers of the cater
pllliI sletNS.
The machine. which has already been
put under practical test 10y several PLAN
ters, will be on exhibition ut our State
Fair, next month.
The inventor claims for it unparaleIl-
ed advantages, aud is of the opinion
that it will supply ii want long and Sc
Tiously felt III the cotton producing
States. Mr.. Stcinn,anli is a native Of
Germany. and though an old resident
of the State, labors under the di>udvan-
tage of not speaking Englisl, iucntly
enough to give, in the t" him foreign
language, the necessary explanations III
regard to his views on cotton worm and
kindred matters. We hope that his
will not rct"rI the pro-
gress of Ills invention and we will al
ways he harry to receive such of his
statements which are of pnl;lir interest.
in German, this being the only language
in which Mr.. S. can communicate them
in proper tor,n.-N. o. Picaya"e, March
2Oth.