Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-07-29
A BUGGY STORY.

1t has often been said that there is
nothing, however small and insignificant,
created but for purpose, and to the OBJ
the truth of this saying becomes
more apparent each year, as it brings with
It proofs to that effect, in the discovery of
a manner in which some, heretofore appar-
emily useless, plant, insect or animal. may
be utilized to good effect. One of the
latest and which promises TO be the most
lucrative to its discoverer, is the adopting
Of what has for several years been cou-
sdered by farmers as one of the entirely
useless and destructive of natures crea-
tions, the "potato bug" to one of our
most useful branches of trade.
The discovery was made by Mr. Thomas
owning small farm in Queen
Anne's county, near Oentreville, which of
late years he has been devoting to the
trucking business, making the raising of
potatoes specially. As has been noticed
by those who have ever given attention to
the subject, all or almost all the great dis
coveries have been made by persons the
least expecting it, and you might say by
stumbling on them. Now
such was the case with Mr.. Lawson. This
year he had the prospect of a remarkably
fine crop of potatoes, and of course good
crop of bugs also. Being opposed to Paris
Green, as he was afraid of the poison get
ting into the vine and then soaking down
to the vegetable, he always picked them.
To do this he had to hire six men, and
they were kept busy all day.
GETTING READY FOR BOIL.
When the bugs were picked, fire was
cd ut NM Af he oh hos
we're burnt. But lately Mr.. Lawson be-
came of the opinion that If he had this ex-
pense to contend with much longer he
would have no profit left, as each morn
ing the vines would be just as full, and to
all appearance the same bugs. This gave
rise to the thought that perhaps the fire
did not kill them all. Therefore he de-
cided to give his patch one more picking
and boil them. For this purpose he had
large, old-fashioned pot, holding about
twelve gallons, which at one time had
been used to boil clothes in, swung up in
the old style and fire built under it.
About noon the men came in with nearly
two gallons of the destructive little bugs
These Mr.. Lawson put in the water,
which was then boiling.
DYING THEY DID DYE.
By accident at the same time, he also
put in piece of old sheepskin leather
used for lining shoes. AS the water was
very hot he did not take the trouble to get
1t out. About half an hour later he came
back to see how the fire was getting along
when, what WAS his surprise to see the
piece of leather turned from dirty white
to the richest dark crimson. This aroused
his curiosity, and seeing another piece oil
the same lying near, he threw it in also
In about two minutes it commenced tc
change color, first to dark brown then Il
a greenish hue, then yellow of the pures
dye, then light blue, from which it turned
dark. Finally it became light shade o
red, which then deepened till it became o.
the other piece and at this color it re
NAMED. To test the matter further he go
a piece of white linen and put it in. l
also went through the same changes an,
became the same color as the leather. |
then flashed upon him that he had mad
a discovery and Immediately started TO
Baltimore to become satisfied on the sui
ject.
HE SELLS HIS SECRET,
On arriving In the city he first went t
the Staten Island Dyeing Company o
Baltimore street, where his samples wer
pronounced to be of the most superio
dye. He then called on one or two nor
parties and met with the same success
The next thing that occurred to him WI
to make some money out of the affair. Il
finally decided to place the facts befol
some of Baltimore's capitalists, and IL
aud sell them the right of his discover,
This was rather difficult to no at nm advai
tage, as these gentlemen were rather ca
tious and required severe proofs that the
was money in it. These we're given, al
in every particular met with and allayt
their fears. They then offered hi
$l0,O 600 for his secret, which price
would not take. Finally they settled {
$4,000 and closed the bargain. II
buyers were Messrs. J. b. Johnso
Thomas Johnston aud John Buck, all
Baltimore wealthy and shrewd specul
tors and respected citizens.
These gentlemen Immediately appli
to the Government for the exclusive rig
to use these bugs for this purpose in t
United States. but could only get the rig
for Maryland. This they got and Co
menced making great preparations for t
d opening of their business. They ha
0 begun building on portion of n
9 Lawson's farm bought Tor the purpo
d for which they paid Sl3j 30 per &C
They expect to be ready for operation
y the first of August. They have agreed
d take from the farmers of that neighb
: hood as many as 10000 quarts of bugs
n six cents per quart, and exp
n to want more. These bugs IL
will have to feed TO h
=. them alive till ready TO commence ope
- tons. For this purpose they have erec
large square building 200 by 100 feet. q
=, 30 feet high. In this place they will
H. the bugs and keep them supplied "
10 food. They don't drink water. On furt
trial they find that by taking the cloth
t leather out of the water when at
10 period of changing, it will retain t
IL shade, and by adding few chemical
'e great many other colors can be h
I, though not SO good as the originnl;
are the stutfs as strong. 1t is said that
I'd pure dye of the bug makes the go
20 much stronger than before ii is applied
=, THERE'S MILLIONS IN IT.
ed The style Of the firm will be the sou
Annes Dyeing Company" They il
taken contracts to furnish most of 81
mores prominent dealers and have e
entered negotiations with some Eng
and German houses. The only seri
drawback looked for is the scarcity
bugs. 1t is feared that unless steps
taken to keep up the stock, the suI
/. will give out. AS it will pay anybody '
~ well to gather hugs at six cents per gu
b. Mr.. Lawson has been engaged to put
on entire farm i'll potatoes next year and
W. receive three and oue-third cents
~. quart for the bugs on vines This
!, company thinks will make them chea
Nv as they eau hire boys to pick ut 80 G.
ss, per diem. They have already enga
m. 125 for that purpose and think they
want about 200 more. Indeed, so gre
the fear that the bugs may become e.
minated that great many OF the |
wealthy and Influential farmers talk
ously of giving up farming and going
the bug-rsising business.
now TO RAI.E THE BUGS.
MIR. Richard Worthington, one of W
ington's most prominent nGturalists,
has been giving the habits of the pa
bugs his close attention for some =
c. states that they will lay their eggs Il
you one and half hours before sunset,
vet the under side of the leaf, and by . o'c
1t. next morning they will be Matched
can half grown. He also tells us that the
l. bug does very little damage by eating
IT, gives her attention solely to the increa
of her tribe. One old bug is capab
ing producing over 800 eggs in one day
en-; night. The average length of their
err is six weeks. When one week old /
to-" commence to breed and continue to d