Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-05-07
THE GRAIN PEST.
More About the Aphis Aysna and Rene
dies Recommended.

dies Recommended.
An article by Prof. Dwinel;e, in the
Rural Press, contains the following in re-
lation to experiments affecting the plant
louise, or aphis, which is just now receiv-
ing considerable attention by farmers in
many sections of the State. We have al
ready given much space to the subject, de-
string to furnish our readers with all the
light that could be, given upon the ques.
ton.
Prof. Dwinelle says: Much of the grain
in and about Berkeley is very badly in.
tested and some of it dying. It seems
almost hopeless to fight the pests on large
areas, but your readers may be interested
in an experiment tried here in Berkeley
last year On small patch Of barley. The
grain looked siekly aud yellow when but a
few inches high, and an examination
showed that the roots, for some distance
below the surface, were covered with a
ANAL sphis or plant-louse of a yellow color.
Later the leaves were infested with aphides
which seemed like those on the roots. ex-
cept that they were of dull green. Close
search finally showed one st the crown
of plant having the hind part of the
body, which had been shaded by the soil,
still yellow, while the fore part of the body,
which had been exposed TO the light, was
green. From this inferred that this species
st least, began its work on the roots, and,
as the season advanced, worked upwards.
II let alone it would probably have finally
concentrated on the head of the grain, as
noted in your recent article The green
coler seemed to be developed by the action
of the sunlight, as in the plant ITSELF
Some gas lime, which had stood in the barn
for several years and was quite dry. was
busted over the grain through sieve. One
or two light showers fell within day or
two. About week after the application,
on close examination, I could not find live
aphis on the grain, above or below ground.
Experiments are now under way on the
University grounds which may lead to val
liable results. 1t is probable that the best
treatment for some of the badly damaged
fields would be to SOW the infested spots
with lime, plow the green grain under and |
SOW with buckwheat. This last plant is
noted fer resisting insect attacks, and, if |
plowed under when rank and green, is said !
to exterminate those in the soil.
The following letter has been received |
upon the same subject from DIR. S. F.
Chaplin, of San Jose, State Inspector of
Fruit Pests, who has given this pest CON
siderable attention. He says:
In pursuing investigations in grain fields |
infested by the aptis oUeR9, | have taken |
notes of some interesting points presented |
by the fields OF P. G. Keith, OF the Santa !
Clara valley. For convenience, 1 will |
number these, which adjoin each other, as
follows
Field No. Red Australian wheat.
The stubble from this field was pastured |
last season. 1t was plowed about three
inches deep, and sown after the first rains
of the past winter. The grain came up |
early, and grew from six or eight inches
high, when it was psstured off close to the |
ground by sheep and other stock. This |
pasturinc was commenced about the middle |
Of March. The wheat is now about two |
feet high, and no sphis can be found upon |
it. If the weather be favorable fair
Weld is expected.
Field No. 2-White Australian wheat.
This piece was not in grain last season, but |
used as pasture the entire season. 1t
was plowed about one month later than
VIC lUlcROluS oi4I aOOhH STA iANhSo A-A
depth, and sown. The wheat came up
finely and has grown well, and is now quite
rank. In this case the field has not been
pastured since the present crop was sown.
Ii is now almost entirely covered with
aphis. The stalks and leaves near the
ground are turning white, while the
TOP is very dark, unnatural in |
color, and almost black in places. The
eo,zon'o Of ho fold |
was regarded as most favorable for a good
Weld. but the prospect now is very poor,
and it is doubtful whether it will head
out. As expressed by the owner, "One
acre of the first field is worth two of this,
and perhaps four
Field No. 3-Barley-This was treated
last season same as No. l, up to and in
Guiding the time Of sowing the grain. 1t
was not pastured off, however, this spring,
but was left like No. in this respect, and
with precisely the same results, the aphis
prevailing in immense numbers ever the
entire field. The barley has already headed
out, but light crop is expected.
A careful consideration Of the facts pre-
scented here would lead to the conclusion
that the proper remedy for this pest had
been found in the pasturipg of the grow
few inches. As it is known that this aphis
is ready to commence It's work upon the
new plant when the sap flows, it is quite
clearly indicated that the pest had been
completely eradicated from field No. by
the feeding of the stock upon it. With
field No. there was no stubble the past
season, but thoroughly pastured, yet when
deep blowing had been done las has been
suggested as a remedy, and the grain had
cone up, the aphis was there ready,
aud has been there ever since. Careful
notes of the results upon this farm will be
taken, and the facts here learned followed
up the coming season.
We have received from J. McCauley, of
lone, specimen of the insect pest found
in that locality upon grain, and which is,
upon examination by Matthew Cooke, pro-
nounoed the same insect, the aphis aoenee,
that is above referred to. A specimen re-
ceived from MERGED ia simply the rose
aphis, which never interferes with grain,
and the specimen furnished was not found