Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-14
THE COTTON CAEERPnLARs.
The Georgia Department. OF Agriculture
Gives Directions for Their EffeCtual
Destruction


The Georgia Department. OF Agriculture
Gives Directions for Their Effectual
Destruction.
Reports have reached this office, says
the Commissioner in his report for July,
of the appearance OF catsrpillars In several
localities. Commencing this early, If the
season continue moist and favorable,
much damage TO the cotton crop may be
expected. AS, in the case of all evil
visitations, prevention is more to be relied
ON than cure. The use of Paris green and
London purple as ameans of destroying
cotton caterpillars is no longer an OK
pertinent. There is no doubt that the
ravages of this pest can be greatly
diminished and often entirely prevented
ii operations are promptly begun. In
August, 1885, Inspector Rogers was sent
to the farm of Mr. b. ). Kittrell, of Oconee,
Johnson county. with the view to testing
the efficacy of London purple as a de-
stroyer. The following extract from
circular No. AZ (from this department
gives the method used by Col. Rogers and
the result of the experiment:
One pound of the London purple was
dittused in 1903 gallons of waterin the first
experiment, and sprayed upon the cotton
plants by means of a cheap tin lawn
sprinkler Costing So 50). On the sue
ceeding morning, while Mr.. Rogers did
not find any dead worms, neither did he
discover any live ones, they had disap-
peared. He then made a stronger mkt
ure, or at the rate of one pound of the
London purple to 60 gallons of water, and
applied it in the same manner to another
part of the same field, where the caterpil-
lars were quite numerous. 1t was found
that this application not only destroyed
the worms, but also seriously injured the
foliage of the plants. He then
hit upon medium strength of
one pound of the purple to so gal
Ions of water. The result of this expert
ment was more satisfactory, tho worms
being effectually destroyed, and the
foliage not materially injured. He now
recommends mixture of one pound of
purple to 80 to 80 gallons of water.
The details of the experiment were
quite simple, and may easily be improved
upon by the exercise of a little ingenuity.
The pump was carried and operated by
one person, and the poisonous mixture IN
bucket by an assistant, operating on
eight rows at time.
In larger operations, barrel contain
ing the mixture may be mounted on the
axle of PAIR OF wagon wheels, and con-
neeted with the pump by means of a
flexible rubber tube.
The London purple may be had at most
laege drug stores at 10c. per pound.
ItdOes not dissolve in water, and the mix
tslre must be frequently stirred up to pre-
vtnt settling. The pumps or sprinklers
may be had at any large household
furnishing store.
If inconvenient to procure London
purple, Paris green will answer the pur-
pose equally as well, using l pound we'll
stirred in % pounds of cheap flour, and
sprinkling the same on the plants, while
wet with dew, through fine cloth. The
purple, however, costs less per acre, and
may be more expeditiOusly applied.
Twenty-Five gallons OF the poisoned water
will be sufficient for one acre, according
to the estimate OF Mr.. Rogers.
The experience of every cotton planter
whose crop has suffered from caterpillar
vsitations In the past will enable him to
locate the portions OF the field where the
worms will first appear, and there to COM
mence operations as soon as few become
visible.
II is important to destroy the first and
second br0Ods, and thus practically limit
the third and later brOods to such small
numbers that no material damage will
result. The cost of materials and APP
planes, and the amount of labor re-
quired to efectually check the progress of
the caterpillar, is so small that planter
who permits his crop to be destroyed or
materially injured is without excuse.