The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-24
Corn in 1884.

Corn in 1884.
There is great reason for solicitude
regarding the corn crop in 1884. There
are two points upon which there are
grave reasons to be anxious.
The COrn-root worm has been in
creasing in numbers within the last
three years with astonishing rapiditv,
and unless its progress is checked, il
will probably devaState the corntield>
of Illinois next year to such an extent
as to very materially diminish the
crop. Fortunately the life history of this
insect has been carefully studied by our
efficient State Entomologist, Professor
S. A. Forbes, and his assistants, and
the means of preventing its ravages
have be IN pointed out. 1t now becomes
the duty Of publishers of papers every
where within the territory visited by
this pest to give the people all the in
formation gained by these pains-takin9
examinations. Farmers who did not
carefully examine the roots of their corn
during the past growing season can
hardly be aware of the extent of the
damage which was done by this insect:
yet this was not 1.-THE of the destruction
which will, in all probability, be made
during next year unless the warnings
are widely published and generally
leeded.
The larva of this insect is a small
white worm, about as large as as me
dium-sizsd knitting needle. 1t begins
its work while the corn is young
to two feet high-girdling and eating
the roots, and often later in the season
entering the larger roots and boring
along lengthwise, until the roots are
dead; all roots attacked by them are
killed, and, of course, the survival OF
the plant depends upon the proportion
of roots destroyed and the state of the
weather during and subsequent to the
time of their work. If the weather Is
warm with frequent showers, new roots
form SC rapidly that the plants, though
they may topple over. will generally
survive and produce some grain, though
of course the ears will be short and
perhaps will not mature well; but if
ilrouth enSues. the plant will be
stopped in its growth. turn yellow, and
prove barren. even if it survives at all
Indications of the presence of this
worm are stunted growth and pre-
mature turning yellow of the lower
leaves.
The perfect insect is said to deposit
its eggs at the roots of the corn anC
usually in the same field in which it was
developed, few, comparatively, flying
to distant or al accent fields. Of course
the worms do not migrate. hence, every
intelligent reader will readily see the
way to prevent its ravageS. The first
year field is planted in corn it will be
entirely free from depredations. but the
few moths which wander in from field;
and deposit their eggs late in the season
viii produce enough to furnish large
supply of seed" during second
autumn, though usually not seriously
damaging the second crop; but the
third successive crop upon the same
field will be almost sure to be badly
damaged. -
The preventive, therefore, is TO plant
corn not more than two consecutive
wears upon any field. Alternate for
one wear with oats or other crop, and
exemption to corn the following year is
secured-for this insect feeds upon corn
roots only, and will perish if none are
within its reach.
The second reason for apprehension
is the condition of the present crop OF
corn over nine-tenthS, at least, of the
West. This condition has been COM
mented upon several times in the Prairie
Farmer, and only needs repetition here
to urge its readers to use every possible /!
precantion in selecting or procuring
seed. have made careful eXamina- /
tons with glass during the last two
weeks of very many cribs OF corn from I
which the owners thought good seed .
could be selected, and find that the pro- :
portion of corn safe for seed, even in
lots which look dry and bright. is much
less than has been generally supposed. .
Yet there are localities, where the soil
is warm and SANDY, where the corn !
was planted early and fully ripened, and
was dry long before any frost. L have
examined some cribs of such corn. oi :
which one half at least is sure to grow. /
Seed corn should be procured from such s
localities 20 insure IAN even stand for (
1884 There is probably enough good !
seed in the country to meet the. demand,
but the dangers are that many lots good
for seed will be used for feed, and that
a large percentage of farmers will
themselves be deceived and procure OF
select such as will not terminate well,
If possible, seed should be tested before
purchase, by taking kernels at random
from lots offered, and keeping them in
damp earth at about the same tempera-
ture, day and night, that the soil
usually is at planting time. We eli
know that little extra trouble taken,
oryexpense incurred in securing seed
which will give ian even stand'' is but
a trife. when contrasted with the loss
which would be likely to follow want
Of such pains--Ccrs Prairie Farmer.