The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-09

NeGsSsaRr
eny ola single pair OF these insects were allowed
to Increase without molestaaon for an entire
season the result would amount 10 over G0.0eo oOo
of individuals which will give some IDEA OF tner
powers OF reproduction. Though the potato is its
particular food II VIII feed upon other plants such
as the tomato. egg plant, &c., sometimes DONG
consider bic damage, and IN one case reported.
after destroying Held of potatoes they finished
up patch OF the jamestown weed (DGtlaa
strdntoniunll.
There is another insect closely allied 10 the
Colorado beetle called the false pofatO beetle
(Doiryphora jatIactdl which is sometimes mistaken
for the genuine species, especially IN uninvaded
districts, often causing less alarm. Ii diners
from the true species in having but elaht stripes,
the ones or either SIDE Of tie wing covers being as
broad again, as Il two stripes mad been united OF
run together. the larva also differs, IN being
much lighter cooreu more OF 1esh color, IN
fact, and In having but one row of cots DOWN the
ois an apparent cross between tne wo found in the
south by Professor Glover) This speeles has ex-
isted in the East Tor many years ana ilyes on
the horse nettle, egg plant. &c The old fashioned
slender-strIped porato bugs" tcdnttatts or tyttd)
have also been COMPOUNDED win the western
species, but their long, soft bodies easily distin
EXTENT or INJURIES.
IL is difncult TO estimate the amount o! actual
damage done by these insects over tho whole
country Tor given year. As the beetles invade
prepared for them, and indeed, know little OF
nothing OF the Toe with when they have TO con.
they are very naturally more destructive than a
wear two later when their haoits are better un.
become known. That they are more or less
destructive certain years IL doubtless MS true
win this insect with many other desrruc live
species. In 1872 the general opinion prevailed that
they were not 80 plenty as in previous
work in good earness during the last
season, and from the early reports received
THIS year 1t Is probable that they Will be fully as
destructive the present season. the question
is often asked, "Will they always remainY TO
when can only answer, Yes, though pro5a.
bly, during rne first two three years t1elr APP
pearance IN q new locality they WIZ be the most
STATISTICS OF LOSSES.
Tie valne OF potatoes In local marx cts mas aver
aged iuily $50 600 200 or tue whoie crop since the
prevalence of the potato beet.e The yield mas
been about 1870 0000 900 bushels per annum, and the
loss rom these insects NAV be considered an under
estimate at $2, 600. 600 per year As the price has
advanced with the decline OF production the
consumer has shared with the producer tue loss,
yet an intrinsic value of $4,000 600 per amman has
been sacrificed, with a large additional amount lot
The application Of Paris green. the labor OF nand
picking aud other expedients employed IN the des-
perate contest between DorVphora aud the pota-
TO grower. To illustrate ILLINOIS wlthstood the
first serious shock IN this oomDat IN 1867, aud tho
to.al production fell or 80 per cent, the rate or
yield declined from SO 60 bushels per acre
according TO records ofthe Department OF Agrl
cuture), and the average price almost doubled. In
1868 the yield was increased 10 I'll bushels, aud III
1859 there was a iurtner Improvement aud an In.
crease in quaniity of 100000 or 000 900 bushels
Striking out Indiana the rate OF yield tell of more
tnan hali, and the price doubled. In 1870 iha
heetle began 10 invade Ohio In earnest ana the
stare returns show decline from 9.621, 75S BUSH
els 1859 10 g. i2l. 500 $780, the average ial
ing or from 112, 900 81 90 acres. The battle has
since been waged with varying success tue re.
turns for 1871 benz s,G27 75s, and Tor 1873
$500 s1s bushels Tne FIRST eject OF their appear
ance was TO deter farmers from planting, alter
which the advanced prices caused q determined
rally.
We have noticed briefly their wonderful powers
OF reproduc tlon and IL is a matter OF conjecture
with many persons how their numbers are kept
even within the present limits: Doubtless there
part IS due TO insect agency, as there are many
species OF insects that prey upon the Colorado
haaf In IN ma RI nf
is destroyed in the egg state BY the ''lady uugs"
several speciesl and IN the larva state AZ Is
preyed upon ~ a dozen or more species or plant
bugs ana beetles; the larya OF parasitic hy ilves
In the oody OF the larva OF the beetle, and wasp
carries ~ TO Its nest for iood. There are, In all,
over twenty different species OF insects that prey
uson H. but 10 our limited space We cannot give
know them and learn their habits and
even protect them from injury, Tor they VIII DO
more than ne, with all his inteLlgence In keeping
down this pest.
This brings us TO the practical part or the SUBJ
ject-the means that shall De employed. not TO ex-
terminate tuem Tor that Is hardly POSSIBLE ont to
artificial means we can save one-nalf OF the losses
that wOuld occur without sucn enort, mucn naa
oniy avaabie and enectual re NEEDY, II we may OK.
cept hand picking, whica u only reliable 70 the
ever, be pure 70 be enectual. and we regret TO
say tuat tons OF inferior or adulterated stun are
sold every year. Is Is mixed vita ashes. land
plaster hour IN The proportion Of one TO twelve
or fifteen, anu should he busted over The plants
In the morning Wnen The dew ls on the foliage,
repeating IN week or ten uays or after rains
wnen The Insects are most plentliul, though we
should ADVISE taxing them early ana preventing
them rom becoming very numerous. con-
venleut way OF dusttng the vines evenly Is ~
prepare dreoRe on a large scale. from an ole
iruit can by puncturing the bottom full OF holes
aud securing TO he side piece OF broom handle,
ABOUT two feet loDr The operator ais this and,
carrying IL IA one hand, gently taps the handle
win similar stick held la the other hand, beng
careful 10 always keep to windward. The speed
or me operator regulates tue amount used. Three
mounds III iaris green 10 about forty pounds 81
the plaster or fiour will answer for an acre.
Anotner metnod is 70 mix the green wlrh water
al Tie rate oi one pound &C. forty gallons, and IL
localities where the sun Il hot during the MIDDLE
81 the day some persons advise brushing tnem
from the vines at that time. and IL has been
stated thar the plan succeeds well. It's oneap
remedy and an easy one Where hand picking u