Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-19
1aaiIu 7sennebrr Journal.
The NAV Beetle.

Each season this insect thrusts itself be-
fore the public more conspicuously than
the previous one with lack of modesty
in keeping with the general stupidity OF
its nature and its fendish love of destruc-
ton. For years it has been the greatest
enemy TO small fruit. particularly straw
berries, In many Eastern States, and lis
injuries are becoming more and more Sc
rious In the West. It's attentions are not
confined To- any plant or class OF plants,
as almost every farm and garden crop Is
liable TO attack. Lawns and meadows Of
ten have their roots 80 eaten off that the
sod can be lifted up in long strips. Some
Of the turf of Chicago's beautiful Lincoln
Park was completely ruined in this way
the past season, the brown-headed destroy
ers were 50 thick that they were raked up
by the cart-load and given q cod bath
in the waters Of Lake Michigan. Some
Of the lawns of the Michigan Agricul-
tural College have been similarly devas-
tated of late In some localities pota-
toes in the hills have been eagerly de-
voured. one writer having lost half his
crop. Rose bushes often have their roots
destroyed by these pests, as their presence
cannot be discovered until after the plant
is destroyed remedies are unavailable.
Raspberry roots are often devoured, as
also many similar crops. OF this white
grub as an enemy to strawberries, +. L.
Roe, in his excellent Success, with small
fruits" says: There is one enemy that
inspires one with fear and unmingled dis
gust. 1t is type of certain phase of
character in society. most difficult to deal
with, and which the mantle of charity is
rarely broad enough to coyer-the stupid
iy solidly malignant, who have Just sense
enough 10 do great deal of mischief, and
to keep 1t hidden until too late for reme-
dy. Science had digniiied the detestable
thing with sonorous name. as usual-the
Lachnosterna tilscd. 1t does not deserve
its name in the common vernacular-
white grub; for its white is dingy
hue. and its head dark. like its deeds.
Has it redeeming trait? Give the dell
his due says the proverb. The best can
say of the white grub is. that crows
and an odorous animal forbear
to name, are very fond of it. This fact |
think, is its sole virture, its one entry on
the credit side; but there is long. dark
score against it, OF its havoc on the lawn
and farm will not speak, since it IS suffi-
cient for our purpose 10 state that it is the
strawberry's worst foe "
Natural History The white spherical
eggs are deposited in the earth between
the roots of grass or other plants in June
or July. The wrinkled, brown headed
grubs soon hatch and begin eating the
succulent roots about them. and continue
so to do for the two succeeding seasons,
reaching maturity the third autumn, when
they form earthen cocoons and becomes a
peepG. The following May or June the
brown beetles come forth to devour
foliage, lay the eggs for another brood of
grubs and thump stupidity at the lighted
windows OF our dwellings.
Remedies Remedies for these pests
are unsatisfactory, in that they usually
cannot be applied until after the damage
is done. hence killing them is like locking
the stable after the horse is stolen. Sod
land is specially liable to be infested,
hence such land should not be set to straw
berries or similar crops the first season
after breaking, unless followed to starve
the grubs. A prominent horticulturist of
Iowa. in paper read before the Horti-
cultural Society of that State, said that he
had successfully planted Strawberries on
grub-infested land by first dipping the
roots in solution of white arsenic. In
stead of this, Paris green or London pur-
pile would be much safer and equally
good. Of course great care should be
taken that the hands of the one transplant
ing be tree from bruises. Birds, skunks
and other animals destroy many grubs.
On the college lawn above mentioned.
robins and golden winged woodpeckers,
or "high-holes" devoured them greedily.
Crows and crow blackbirds also have "a
weakness" for them. One of the advan-
iages of summer following is that besides
starving the grubs it exposes them to the
birds. Swine. when turned into an in
test field also eat them greedily.
CLARENCE NJ. WEED.