The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-06-27
&R - Sc
Yne Potato Crop Endangered.

We are in receipt of such facts and sta s
tis+ics i'm rersrd to the progress OF the po-
tato beetle as to cause the most sel1ous ap-
nrehension for the welfare of tins import
a # crop. From all parts of tins and al
Joining counties we have advices that they
are prevailing in countless plumbers
More than a year ago, we gave III 'iiS
Tribune full accounts of this lhSec., ana
the best modes of combating II; ard lately
we have noticed in our agricultural col
umns the fact of their appearance III great
numbers so that the readers of our paper
are doubtless well posted IN regard 20 the
subject Still few words more To c;tll at
tention to the Importance OF the EVIL, nay
not be out of place.
or Western ten-lined potato bug, Is an m
/ sect about half an inch in length, ct
thick, oval shape, and of yeliowlsh cream
colon, with ten black lines running length
wise down the wing covers The head ana
thorax are of an orange brown color, spot
ted and marked with black. 1heSe ma
ture insects appear on the vines soon after
they come up in the spring, and commence
pairing and laying eggs III clusters on the
under sides of the leaves to the number OF
from seven to twelve hundred. The lar
we hatch from these eggs in few days,
and commence feeding on the potato
leaves, and it is in this state they do the
al
brown but become paler and brighter as
it natures. The head is black, and they
have a ring of black on the first segment
of their bodies, and two rows of black
spots on each side. They feed from sew
enteen to twenty days, and then bury
themselves in the earth where they change
into pupa, in which state they remain
from ten to twelve days, and finally emerge
from the earth as perfect beetles, to de
for a
There are said to be three broOds annually
the last brood remaining under grOunC
during the winter. All their tTansforma
, tions are affected in fifty days, and the
! progeny Of a single pair would amount il
one season to OUer Si.rtY millions. 1t WI
+ thus be seen how frightful the destruction
f they can accomplish will be, unless promp
n measures are taken to destroy them. Tn
n potato crop is of vast Importance in thi
o vicinity, and the subject should reee "
d earnest attention.
e Many remedies have been suggested
e and failed in their application. Hand
picking is right wher the insects first AZ
d pear in the spring; but that time Is nov
h past and we must fight the Larvae Will
if they are eating the leaves. Lime answer
@ as a palliative, and drives the insects ava
e for a time, but does not kill them. I'll
a only thing that destroys them to advan
?, age is that described III another part {
d our paper-Paris green, mixed with tioul
e plaster, or some other ingredient to enabl
the operator to scatter over the vines
c Cultivators have found that one pound c
rs the poison mixed with twenty pounds q
;, ground plaster i about the right proPOl
p tion in which to apply 1t. About fou
le pounds of the former and eighty pound
d of the latter viii answer for an acre Of po
e tatoes if carefully applied. This can b
le done by getting a handle soldeTed on a.
n old fruit can, and punching holes in tn
y bottom. something in the way of pepPc
le box. The operator should have bit o
beroge, or other light material over III
le face to avoid inhaling the dust, as it is
: deadly poison.
II We have thus given all that is known u
st to the present time, and claim that tn
n readers Of the Tribune have the fulles
G. opportunity to save their crop Of this in
lie portant esculent.-J0dHSt0s7H Tribune.