Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1875-08-04
The Eve of Battle.

Notwithstanding the many skirmishes
we have had with the Colorado Potato
Beetle, the real great battle is yet to be
fought, and it will probably be fought the
coming year. The field of the struggle
has hitherto been west of the Alleghanies
but this has never been Il distinctively
potato growing region. Potatoes were, of
course. grown in large quantities. but
never to the extent of leading article of
commerce. In the East it is one of the
leading staples, and we question very
much whether to the farmers Of Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Con-
necticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. there is
not more made from potatoes than from
any crop grown. To the people of these
States the invasion of the Colorado Beetle
will be nearly us great a blow as the grass
hopper invasion was to Kansas and
Nebraska.
There was. no doubt, an immense mum
Der of eggs deposited last fall, and it will
be hopeless to cope with the insects in a
duty in calling attention to them, but there
are so many people who do not read the
papers. All last season the writer had Il
boy 90 through his potatoes and pick off
the large as soon as they appeared. 1t
did not cost much, but the continual in
lux of beetles from other peoples potato
fields kept up the stock to such Il degree
that. before the fall, the foreman felt it a
hopeless task. and required considerable
encouraging 20 induce him to perSeverc
to the end. 50 many people do not read
the papers, and the whole community
suffers from this class. But it cannot be
helped. Their neglect of last year will
bring the enemy down on Us in lcgiOns
For this reason hand picking, except,
perhaps, very early in the season. will be
no use at all. We have to make up our
minds that we are on the eve of Il serious
battle if we would save our potatoes; and
we may ut once review our resources, so
that on the morrow we may be ready
when the enemy comes.
SO far nothing has been found equal to
Paris green-a cheap. but poisonous COM
pound of arsenic and copper A few
pounds of this is mixed with ashes. dry
earth, or anything that will serve to com
minute OF make the few pounds do for Il
whole acre. The young larv;e eat the
poison with the leaves. and are in this
way destroyed. 1t is best therefore, to
apply the matter while the dew is on the
leaves, or after Il shower, rs it sticks on
the leaves better, and perhaps, it may be
necessary to repeat the dose after heavy
RAIN. The plan of mixing with earth or
ashes is a Western one. Some in the East
say it is better to dilute with water, and
Use it IN 4 water cart or sprinkler. 1t NAV
be best, but we do not know ANYTHING
from experience. If it answer, it might
save from danger in handling the poisonous
mixture. as great care has to be used to
get on the windward side in distributing
the powder to keep it out of the eyes, nose.
or mouth. Indeed, the use of this Pari,
green in this way was made the occasion
OF deprecative paper last fall by an cx-
cellent scientific gentleman, who thinks
the land will be poisoned. and many evils
result from its use. But the best answer
is that, in the West, where for some seven
years 1t has been in extensive use no case
of injury is recorded. Indeed, farmers are
used to handling poisons for vermin
They have arsenic for rats, and strvchuine
for other things. and know how to use
these things judiciously; and if they know
that Paris green is Il poison, they will
hardly scatter it about on their cabbage
and salad. or on such things rs tomatoes
and fruits that one might eat fresh from
the vine.-Philadelphiu Press.