The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-22

animation the cause was traced 10 the presence
on tne leaves OF striped insect, various stages
OF growth, from the newly laid eggs, OF an orange
color and attached TO the leaves IN close masses,
70 the mailed, macuated aud winged parents, ais
charging the functions which Tor some unknown
purpose they were created 10 carry out In the
programme or processes, hidden In their uses,
but beyond question possessing value OF their
own. BY attention 10 the plants affected, shaking
and busting them with Paris green mixed with
hour, but mainly II is thought owing
to cold weather setting in soon AFTER
ward, the ravages OF the novel visitors
were kept in check. In the summer OF 1874
they were again recognized, though in lesser
numbers, and those who had suffered in the pre-
vious season, having planted less potatoes than
usual. from an idea that the crop might be at
tackled, the quantity injured was comparatively
small and inappreclable in the eject produced on
the supply In market.
The opinion generally prevalent among those
best able 10 judge OF the matter is that until the
plant Is well matured and the leaves fnl grown
the presence OF the insect cannot well DO ex-
pected. At present owing 10 the extreme dry
ness and very unusual coidness OF the season.
vegetation fully four weeks later In IT'D progress
than is generally TO be looked for at the summer
solstice, now close at hand. The potato plants in
this neignborhood are Lot, on an average, four
inches over grouud, and so late has the setting
been generally that instances are not wanting In
which the crop has not yet been planted.
WHAT FARMERS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY THINK.
Intelligent farmers with whom nave spoken
have no faith in the possibility oil checking the
ravages OF such winged destroyers as these bugs,
or the ocusts, II they, TOO, should come. The area
OF ground affected by their presence, and the
countless numbers OF plants to be daily examined
nfh nhn v1in
agencies, would in themselves require an army OF
men and boys, procurable beyond doubt-lor en-
ployment was never so scant as at present about
nere-but costly and uncertain in the operations
they would perform. This view seems certainly
TO be based on something more than surmise, for
In visitation of blight on this apparently easily
damaged esculent, in 1916 or 1s47, in Ireland,
every chemical and mechanical means, aided
by the first professional skill. failed
to check the progress OF destruction
once 1t fairly commenced. The insect
Ia that instance was much smaller creature
the Aphis UaStdtor-out 1t was there and could
not be prevented from destroying the leaves and
tubers, or at least far damaging them as to
interfere with their discharge OF the functions for
whicn these superterranean parts OF the plant are
fitted. Some OF these farmers are close observers
OF nature and they say that 1t ls not at all likely
that the insect Is transferred in any form but
that OF the winged travellers, which rise In gale
or wind and are waited unconsclously to ''iresh
fields and pastures new,n where their presence
and that OF their numerous progeny are alike I'M
sought for and unwelcome. With the keen north
west wilma aud harsh dry atmosphere produced by
It, as also the cold, which at times Tor the past
few nights so low as TO freeze water, no appre-
hension need exist OF their coming soon, but as
the Temperature rises and vegetation progress
sivcly advances ''the tender leaves OF hope" may
WOO them hitler. Qute7 sGoeG