St. Landry democrat., 1879-08-02
The Dreaded Cotton Worm.
New Orleans Democrat.


New Orleans Democrat.
The appearance of the cotton worm in
different portions of the states of Ala
bama, Mississippi and Texas has been
recently reported from several counties
OF these states. The reports at first
were not believed, and rarely, if ever,
have these terrible animals of the cotton
plant visited the field at so esrly date
as they have been seen this season.
Their presence in many localities has,
however, lately been confirmed as a fact.
A few years ago the fact was emphatic"
ally fixed upon the minds of most of the
planters in the lower part Of the cotton
region that the early worm catches the
cotton"
The general appearance Of the army
worm during the month Of June was
then the cause for serious apprehension,
as all simple mechanical experiments to
exterminate them were utterly useless,
and failed to prevent the rapid multipli-
cation of the much dreaded ravagers.
The first arrival of the moths, which are
progenitors of the species, are, and
always have been, rarely noticed. In
fact, it has been held by many that the
eggs which first hatched in the warm
weather have lain dormant in the cotton
stalks during the winter, hence the
practice of burning the stalks. This has
failed to prevent the perpetuation of the
| species.
The first brood Or Matching of the
worm is followed in about three weeks
by webbing, the chrysalis stage and g
return to the moth, which lays its eggs
and multiplies species more than a hum
dredfold unless partially destroyed or
exterminated. This transformation goes
on for three or more generations unless
checked by some means, until the third
generation comes out as an army, which
strips of their leaves and completely
destroys the cotton plants over entire
fields and whole sections of the country,
in the more southern portions of the cot.
ton belt particularly.
! In years past, as we have said, the ap'
pearance of these pests in the early part
of June was the cause of dread to the
planters in the locality they visited, and
was considered as certain indication O
the partial or total destruction of the crops
OF later years, however, science has beer
successfully applied to their extermina
tion during the existence of the first gene
ration of the insects. Chemical poison
have succeeded in destroying them wher'
mechanical appliances and efforts hav'
even failed to effect any apparent decreas
in their numbers. We believe that Pari
green has been the most efectual ant
practical destructive agent that has ye
been discovered to prevent materia
injury to the cotton fields from the arm.
worm or all other caterpillsrs which fee'
upon the cotton plant. This is purchases
at small cost, can oe easily spplied
and, with are in handling, entails Il
danger upon those who apply it.
Hundreds of instances may be cite
where it has saved cotton crops Wher
surrounding fields upon which it wa
not used were at the same time almos
completely destroyed. We hope tbs
the first generatioe, of the dreaded pest'
which have visited the fields at so earl
8 date this year that they threaten
effect serious injury, will be destroye
in time by the prompt application {
some chemical agent which has bee
, successfully used before and saved tho1
sonds o. bales of cotton.