The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-22
NEW YORK.
MARCH OF THE BUGS OVER THE sTATE-ARE
THE BUGS POISONOUS? -ExPERIENcE OF A
FARMER AFTER KILLING THE LARvE.

MARCH OF THE BUGS OVER THE sTATE-ARE
THE BUGS POISONOUS 2-ExPERrENcE OF A
FARMER AFTER KILLING THE LARvE.
PORT JERvIs, June 10, 1876.
Reports from all sections OF the counties OF
Orange and sullivan, IN this State, and Sussex, in
New Jersey, are to the eject that the Colorado
potato bug has appeared in vast quantities ana
mas already done no little damage TO the vines.
The potato crop in this section last year was an
unusually large one, and resulted so probably 10
many farmers that this spring, although planting
WAS late, more than the customary amount OF
ground was allotted to potatoes. Notwithstand-
ing the long spell OF dry weather that succeeded
the spring planting. and which has yet only been
broken by inconsiderable showers, the vegetable
promised to do remarkably we'll Very lew farm.
ers gave much thought 10 the pest that has been
ravaging the Western crop for seasons past, al
though the advance guard OF Its marca eastward
appeared here and there in these counties last
fali, generally one or two bugs only being seen IN
o locality But the thrifty plants mad reached but
o few inches IN height wnen the leaves were dis
covered TO be covered with the eggs OF the bug
and In some places the larv9 and beetle were
vigorously engaged In the work OF destruction.
Some farmers have had their hands and members
OF their family engaged in combating the bug Tor
Q week past ana In the towns OF Florida ana War
wick TINS county, IL IS reported that the
ceasing looking after them has caused q
very visible decrease In the number OF the
bugs. The farmers there go over their neIds
armed with two paddles made OF shingles
they examine every lear ana wherever there
IL q deposit OF eggs the paddles are brought
smartly together upon IL, and thousands OF future
beetles destroyed AT a blow. The Larvae and
mature bugs are picked OF by hand and thrown IN
deep vessels ana carried away and crushed. No
H. ho
eone Is allowed tos interfere with this process
OF exterminating the potato bug in this county,
and IL Is expected that the crop VIII not DO as
badly affected as 1t was al nrst feared.
In the upper part OF sullivan coanty the
voraclous bug seems to have appeared in greater
nnmbers than along the river bottom.
IN THE TOWNS OF RocKLAND AND BETHEL
boys and men are hired by the day TO pick them
from the vines and destroy the eggs. In other
places boys are paid three cents quart for all
they can pick. IL Is no uncommon sight IN these
towns TO see rows or chicren engaged In the
rSids at this entirely new employment. In sulli-
van county the farmers are also using Paris green
/ uectually. According to sullivan county farmers.
with whom ! talked to-day, the potato crop in
that county VII be at least one.third less than tho
yield last fail. There are thousands OF bushels OF
last years. potatoes SIN on hand In this section,
which farmers are earting ten and twelve miles
and selling FOR tnirty cents a Dasnel but
which, ihey say, n 1t we're possible TO
keep them few weeks longer, would bring them
more tnan three times that, 50 positive are they
that this years crop will be short. They hold that
tue Damage ny the bug mas not commenced yet,
and that unless all other worg IS entirely neg
lected, or extra help kept on hand Tor weeks that
she ravages Of the Uug where II mas appeared can.
not be stayed. one ola farmer said that he DIDN'T
zee the difference between hiring men TO watch
fhe potatoes and thus eating up all the prospec-
tive profits aud allowing the potato bug destroy
them. The quantity o. potato bugs that are Feed
ssg on the nelds
IN SULLIVAN COUNTY
may be Inferred by the following incident George
CrooKe, a farmer living IN Mongaup, was first an.
prised OF the appearance OF the bug on his place
Dy q little daughter. she told him that they we're
10 plenty that she coulu easily PICK q quart OF
them. lie laughingy told her that II she would
pick quart he would give her 81. She went IN a
neld and in less than hair day picked peek OF
the insects, and that in a comparatively small
space. Mr.. Crooks relates this incident, and says
ne does not think his eight OF potatoes win
pay the expense 81 cultivation unless The price In
1ne fail should be unprecedcntedy high. The
poisonous character Of the Colorado potato bug il
settled TO the satisfaction or this community py
Two or three local cases. A farmer named Noses
Tyler, OF Damascus, Wayne county, Pa, while
picking bugs and arvg rom his vines one day TINS
week. took chew OF tobacco. using the fingers
with which he had been handling the bugs.
Shortly afterward he was taken deathly SICK and
mad to be assisted TO his house. A physician was
called, ana he pronounced his Illness caused by
poison from the potato bug taken into MS system
with the tobacco. he vas quite IN Tor a day or
two. Another farmer, named Winans, in Sulli-
van county was Frustrated By the fumes arising
from number OF bugs upon which nc poured
boiling water to Try it, effect upon tnem. lie was
seized with violent vomiting and spasTns In the
stomach, which lasted 4for some timo.
A few days will more fully determine what tho
erect Of the visit or the insect 70 TINS section Will
Ne on inc growing CROP Meantime the feeling
among the farmers Is ones deoldedlY gloomy.