The Portland daily press., 1879-07-08
AGRICULTURAL.
The Potato Bug.

FRYEBURG CENTRE, June 30, 1879.
Mr. EDITOR: As the attention of farmers
is particularly called to the potato beetle, a
brief history of its origin and habits, togeth-
er with the most approved remedy against its
ravages, may be useful as well as interesting.
The potato bug is indigenous to the can
ons and table land of the Rocky Mountains
and formerly lived on the wild plants of that
region. 1t began its eastern march from
Colorado, and as civilization advanced west
ward, and field crops were grown, it soon ac-
quired the habit of feeding on the cultivated
potato. Abundance of food made it more
prolific, while its constantly accommodating
numbers steadily advanced in quest of food
So that, within the last fifteen years, it has
spread over the entire growing region of the
United States and Canada, even exciting
alarm in Europe.
AS early as 1865 it had crossed the Missis-
sippi and made extensive ravages in Illinois
and Wisconsin, from whence it invaded In
diana, and by the year 1868 made its appear
ance in Ohio, and then, with accelerated
speed, reached the Atlantic States In 1874,
and the sea-board in 1S75-creating much
alarm through the New England States. 1t
thrives best in the North and would prove
destructive to the potato fields of Maine,
were not its numbers greatly reduced by par
asitic insects which follow, or have since ac-
CURED the habit of destroying it. There is
one genuine parasite, resembling the COM
mon house fly, which deposits minute eggs
upon the larva, and from them hatch small
maggots which penetrate the body of their
victim. causing its death. There is another
insect called the Soldier Bug " hich is equal
ly serviceable in destroying the pest.
The potato beetle lives in the winter
months beneath the ground at a depth of
about two inches, though in some instances
it has been found three feet below. 1t issues
from the earth in the spring, and flies readi-
ly in the heat of the day and is able to per-
form journeys of considerable extent. The
eggs are Matched in eight or ten days, andin
two or three weeks acquire their full growth
after which they enter the ground and I'M
dergo their Transformation, and come to full
maturity in about one month after they are
Matched. They are then prepared to come
forth and propagate another brood. There
are in some places three broods or genera
tons in each season. Yet it may be found
at almost any time, in the summer months,
in all its different stages, because the eggs
are laid at short intervals, in small patches
during period of thirty or forty days. Each
female produces from five to seven hundred
eggs; therefore they multiply very rapidly
and would battle the efforts of farmers, were
it not for the attacks of their depredatory
enemies.
The artificial remedies are numerous. but
the most effective and approved remedy is
Paris Green, mixed with from 20 to 80 parts
of flour in weight, or with the same bulk of
plaster or other diluent, or it may be applied
in liquid form, using one tablespoonful to
three gallons of water. The powder can be
successfully applied only when the potatoes
are wet, while the liquid can be used at any
time of day, which in this respect, has quite
an advantage over the former method
Green, mixed with flour or plaster, will
prove more effectual than when mingled
with water, for it will retain the poison much
longer than liquid. When properly ap-
piled it will radically destroy the matured
beetle in from "a to As hours, while it will
kill the young brood in a shorter time be-
cause they are voracious feeders and greedi-
ly eat the poison. 1t is desirable to kill the
beetles before they deposit their eggs A
pair of wooden pincers made for the purpose
will greatly facilitate their destruction
Much has been said against the use of Paris
green, but those who have had the greatest
experience say it can be handled with perfect
safety. There is no well authenticated case
where person has been injured by using it
with care.
Paris green does not affect the plant or
tubers. It is insoluble in water, and cannot
enter into the composition of vegetables be-
sides, whenever it comes in contact with the
soil, its poisonous qualities are neutralized
and it becomes harmless precipitate with
the oxide of iron, so generally diffused
throughout the earth. C.