The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-05-27
agricultural department.
BY ALBERT CHAPMAN,
The Potato Bug.

Inere seems llttle uOuDI Out t1e pO-
tato bug, or Colorado beetle, which has
made potato raising Improbable and
almost impossible at the West, Is NOV
ing eastward with assure step, an all de
vouring appetite and n constitution
which Is proof against all climates. On
Long Island his power for destruction
has been manifested to an alarming de-
gree this spring, and we read of the APP
pearance of some of his tribe rs far east
as Connecticut and Massachusetts.
There seems little ground for hope that
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
can escape visitation from him by
next summer, at farthest, and If he
comes at his usual gait we shall very
likely find his advance guard preylng
upon this years crop.
1t Is to be hoped, and may be expect
ed, that he will not prove as voracious
and numerous and destructive here as
In the West, as he flourshes best near
est his original home, but II certainly
behooyes us to be prepared to meet him
and prevent as far as we can the mis-.
chief on which he is bent.
A Michigan correspondent, who has
had much experience in fighting these
pests, sends us his method of dealing
with them. Paris green the remedy
he used. has been proved to be the best,
and his means of applying ii is simple.
l,t ot 10
against time of need" He says:
Some five or six years since, it was a
mooted question with us as to the pro-
priety of planting the potato, with the
fear of having our crops completely de-
stroyed before we could obtain a single
mess. But from a vigilant warfare and
careful observation of the habits and
progress of the pest and an experience
of few years, we now plant without
fear, and with hope and confidence
that if we fail in fair crop the fault is
our own. We can hold in check this
insect The price of a good crop of po-
tatoes Is the ordinary amount of cult
walton and a close attention TO the fol-
lowing course with reference to the
potato bug:
First, plant early varieties, and as
soon as the old or first insects make
their appearance use diligence in de-
stroylng. But with all this all cannot
he destroyed before they deposit many
eggs. But as soon as the second brood
make their appearance, take Paris green
Ia good and pure article one part to
ten or twelve parts of wheat or rye
-four, "a common or cheap article will
answer just as well) mix these thor
oughly and sift over the vines through
thin gauze, while the wind does not
blow. and If done while the vines are
wet with dew or rain, 1t will be better,
although not essential, and this brood
will all disappear within two days.
But do not rest at this, but watch for a
few days, as some eggs may not have
been Matched at the time but after
wards. If then you find more of the
small, Shiny, ugly looking things. grasp
your can with gauze bottom and about
four or five spoonfuls of your mixture
and give them another application.
This In nearly every instance will do
the work. But yet keep watch, and
by this attention and in the judiclous
use of the above mixture you will not
fail of a crop of potatoes, or if you do,
1t will not be on account of the bugs.
To apply the mixture l take an old
fruit can, take out the whole of one end,
tie over it very tightly the thin gauze
and make an opening In the other end
Just large enough to put the mixture In
By fastening to this can an old broom
handle the mixture can be shook over
the vines quite rapidly, easily and safe
ly-howeveI, always walking on the
windward side so that you will avoid
inhaling any of the dust.
We now obtain just as good crops OF
potatoes as we did before the insect
came within our borders, only we have
to use this precaution. Some recon-
mend the application of Paris green by
dissolying about spoonful In pail OF
water and sprinkle on the vines with a
brush broom. This l find Is much
harder work and does not prove as sue
cessful in every case as when applied
with the -four.
BY observing the above rules, ] raised
last year at the rate of about 600 bushels
OF potatoes To the acre with ordinary
farm culture. And we now have nc
fears. but slight dread of the extra
labor in raising good crops.
Trusting our brother farmers in the
east may benefit by our experience
without incurring the expense in our
experiments, we say to ALL plant pota-
toes plant all you wish. But be vigil
liant and watchful; and the more Of
the early varieties yon plant the less
will be your labor.
In my experience will recommend
the Early Rose and Snow Flake varie.
ties for all purposes. They are both
very productive, and keep well until
the new CROP Mirror & Farmer
Mutton and Wool.