The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-08-29
RED RUST IN COTTON.
The Evidences of The Trouble-How 1t
May BE Treated.

May BE Treated.
The last monthly report of the Stat
Department of Agriculture contains th
following communication addressed t.
Commissioner A. P. Butler:
Dear Sir: The infested cotton plant
sent you by Mr.. P. 8. Brooks and Mr.
G. W. Hill, Fish Dam, S. c., and for
warded by you to me, was received. Th'
disease is that commonly known in som,
places as "red rust" It is not a tru'
rust, but diseased condition of th'
plant, caused by abe attacks of mite
This mite is probably the same species
which is sometimes very troublesome K
house plants, and is known as the ''ret
spider" CHetranchus tetarlus). The mitt
works upon the under side Of the leave
where it bites into and sucks out ths
juice of the leaves. It attacks the tendel
and growing leaves. There are specia
parts of the leaf where it begins it.
operations. These places are between
the larger ribs Of the leaf, near the
petiole, or near the rim of q leaf where
fold occurs. The ribs or the folds ol
the leaf probably afford the mite some
protection. The early stages of the
disease may be detected by an in inspec.
ton of the upper surface OF the leaf. II
It is at first characterized by clusters OF
minute white spots Where few white
spots are distributed over the leaf they
are usually due to some other cause.
Soon the affected plac s assume areddish
cast, due to some abnormal physiological
action following injuries produced by
the mite. On the under side of the Leaf
pale and blistered blotches first appear.
As the juices are extracted the leaf dries
and shrinks in spots and presents q
scurvy appearance. This effect is
heightened by minute white threads
which the mite spins irregularly over the
under surface of the leaf, and by the
numbers of mites themselves, which can
be scarcely distinguished by the unaided
eye.
Another physiological effect upon the
plant seems to be to hasten premature
condition of the young bolIs and the
affected leaves, causing them to fall away.
In some cases the crop is damaged thirty
per cent. The mites multiply with great
rapidity. In four or five days from the
time eggs are laid the young mites from
these eggs sre ready themselves to de-
posit eggs for the next generation.
The so-called cred rust of cotton, or
"cotton rust, was formerly supposed to
be caused by the growth of q parasitic
plant within the tissues of the cotton
leaf. Last year, at Chapel Hill, n. c.,
l proved by number experiments that
no fungus is concerned in the production
of the disease. but that it is produced
solely by the action OF this mite. ] also
successfully conducted experiments to
destroy the mite. I used the common
kerosene emulsion, diluted with solu-
tion of sulpho-tobacco soap, SO that there
was only one part kerosene oil to thirty
parts OF water. This was sprayed with
q force pump on the under side Of the
leaves, The emulsion kills the mite by
coming in contact with its body. It
does not kill all of the eggs, however,
and second application should be made
within three days to kill the young mites
which hatch from these eggs before they
themselves begin to lay eggs. The
common kerosene emulsion itself will do
if great care is used IN making and ap-
plying it. All causes of injury to the
plants for application of kerosene emul-
sion comes from failure to follow closely
directions. Avery strong soapsuds ought
to kill them if properly applied, but L
have never used it in the case of this
particular insect. The kerosene emulsion
ls one of the best and cheapest OF insect
icides, 1t is made as follows: Boil one
pound common soap in one gallon of
water. Add while boiling hot two gal
Ions OF kerosene oil. Churn mp this mix
ture with force pump and spray nozzle
for ten or fifteen minutes until perfect
emulsion is formed, and the liquid will
adhere without oiliness to the surface OF
glass. II force pump is not at hand,
the mixture may emulsifed by ''whip-
ping" it With bunch of twigs, as WAS
done last year by one of my correspon-
dents, Major R. S. Tucker, OF Raleigh.
The mixture now formed should be
diluted by adding to one part OF the
mixture nine parts of cold water. This
would make 80 gallons of the insecticide
from two gallons of the oil. In the case
of this mite the liquid should be thrown
in quite forcible upward spray upon
the under side of the leaves. For this
some kind OF force pump is necessary.
Perhaps the best apparatus which could
be easily gotten and put speedily in oper-
alton for this year would be some kind
Of Hydronette, holding several gallons
one that conld be strapped to the back.
l understand that C4meron X B+rkley,
OF Charleston, can furnish these. A
workman co lid easily attach hose so
as to throw the spray on the under SIDE
of the leaves. The disease usually ap-
pears in spots in the field, and if taken
in time the mites might be subdued with
this hand apparatus. Every large cotton
planter should have some machine con-
structed to underspray several rows at
time, but it would probably take too
long 10 get such machine IN readiness
for this season.
If patience and faithfulness, both IN
observation and treatment are observed,
there is no reason why the evil effects OF
this mite should not be entirely preven-
ted.
Very truly yours,
GEO. F. ATKINSON.
s. C. University.
L