Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-06-12


soffice of County Treasurer at the ensuing
.election, and if elected, promise faithful
discharge of duty, in person. ;,:il7Ns
inne l2-t e. JOSEPH RIoDEs.
&
Colorado Potato Bug.
:, We regret that this very destructive In
.sertthas made its appearance in this coun-
}ty. Several gardens in Woodstock have
been examined and found to be infested
with large numbers Of them. AS many OF
iour farmers are not acquainted with the
insect, we give full description and re-
NEEDLES used as we have been able ito
gather them from the best authorities
upon the subject.
The Doryphor'u ascem.linedta, Colorado,
or Western ten-lined potato bug; was
described by Say in the Journal CT the
Academy of Natural Sciences, In 1923, as
occurring in Missouri aud Arkansas, and
was SO named from the black lines on Its
wing covers. 1t is stated to have travelled
east. at the rate of go miles per year. 1t
was predicted by Prot. Walsh, In 1854 that
they would reach the Atlantic States In
1880. The eggs, to the number of seven
hundred to twelve hundred, are deposited
on the young leaves of the potatoes. In
order to give some idea of their powers of
multiplication and the injury effected by
them, the Canadian Entomologist states
that all their transformations are effected
In fifty days, SO: hat the result OF q single
IN {rn
molestation, would, in one season, amount
to sixty millions In 1866, these insects
destroyed one and quarter million dollars
worth Of potatoes II. one small portion OF
the United States. There are said to be
three broods annually in Missouri and IL.
linois. 1t feeds upon the potato, tomato,
thorn apple, black henbane, &c. &c.
The larva of the Colorado potato-bug Is
at first dark reddish brown, but becomes
paler, and brightens as it natures. The
head is black on the first segment of its
body, and two rows Of black spots on each
side. The perfect insect is about half an
irch in length, of a THEN, oval shape, and
of a yeliowish cream color, with ten black
lines running length wise down the wing
covers. The Head and thorax are of an
orange-brown color, spotted and marked
with black. AS a remedy Professor Yer
ril recommends Paris green, mixed with
eight to tEelv parts of wheat flour, or
with three parts of wood ashes, to be
busted over the plants when wet with
dew; he, however, prudently adds: sit may
be questioned whether it is safe or ad-
visable to mix dangerous mineral poisons
with the SOIL The American Entomolo-
xist also states that Paris green (srsenit
of copper is q slow but dangerous poison;
and when busting plants with it the
greatest care should be exercised, 80 that
the wind may not carry it toward the
person of the operator. and it may inJure
the soil if used repeatedly"
In proof of this. peas planted at the
Department of Agriculture. IN soil mixed
with Paris green, rotted Immediately and
would not terminate, while those in UNI
aduiturated soil grew finely and flour
ished, but died Immediately when trans
planted into tho soil mixed with Paris
green. This dangerous remedy has been
used to such an. extent, that it is stated
that 1900 lbs. has been sold in one season
alta Cross, Wisconsion, for the destruc-
tion ofthese potato bugs. Mr.. Riley says:
Watch for and destroy early beetles, and
onsnare as many rs you can by making
small heaps of potatoes in the field planted,
A. 1,,;u ho otfyontol for
food and may readily be killed III the
morning" Paris green, he states, if used
too abundantly, will kill the vines. and
recommends 1t to be used with twelve
parts of flour, ashes, plaster, or slaked
lime.
The Canadian EntomolOgist also recon-
mends Paris green, mixed with flour, ash
es, or air-sl acked lime, but states that flou
is much the best when mixed In the pro-
portion of one part Of Paris green, by
weight to ten or twelve parts Of flour;
busted over the plants when the dew ia ON
the foliage, from an ordinary >sfb,tt
dredge. Three BOUNDS Of Paris green to
thirty or thirty-st4 pounds q flour is spf,
ficient for an acre of potatoes 1t, alM
states that 1t is not dangerous If carefully
used. Several substitutes for Paris green
are also mentioned, among them arsenic
itself, which may be used IL, the proper
tion of one ounce to a pound of flour, but
1t should be colored black with charcoal or
some other cOloring matter, to lesson risk
Of accident from use. Bluestone solution
injured neither bugs nor plant. Bivhro-
mate Of Potash, dissolved in water, killed
insects and plants.
Ashes and air-slakcd lime gave no per-
ceptible results.
In summing up all the evidence on the
subject of remedies, 1t appears that hand
pfcAing, especially very early In the sea-
son when the insects first. appear, and
before they have had time to lay their
eggs, is highly advantageous, and that tho
use of Paris green is Recommended, by the
best authorities: but, when using this
dangerous poison, the greatest care should
BE- taken when. busting the plants that none
#Of 1t is carried by the wind on the person
~, the operator, or on. any neighhor's fruit,
vegetables Or forage crops, and that it
should be mixed with ct lssst ten to twelve
parts of flour, plaster, or some other mater
ial, and that an overdose is apt to kill the
plants, besides leaving residuum in the
soil which may prove injurious to crops.
gentleman near Chicago states that
ttkinga finely. pulverized, air slaked lime