The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-10-25
Take Care of the Grain.

One of the difficulties experienced by our
southern planters is in the protection OF the
matured grain crop against the depedauon OF
weevis and other vermin The nature OF our
climate is such that we have more no&-
ious insects than are found in the more
northern attitudes. These insects not only
remain longer with us, but they appear 10 De
more perniciOuS in their habits than those
of colder regions the long and severe free
yes of the northern states frequently ue-
strov the germs of the eggs of the most de-
structive of the insects; and the depreoa-
tion of the living ones are confined there
chiefly to the summer and early fail nioh''S'
On our extreme southern coasts we some
times have an all winter fight even against
the mosquito.
The most troublesome Of the insects that
nrnv on agricultural life is, in some Of our
localities the weeyil. The whole labor OF Il
season is Frequently almost entirely destroy
cd in short while by the attacks OF these
abominable pests. They sometimes appear
i'm the corn crop land before MISCHIEF Is
susnccted the grain is ruined. OsuaiiS
they are more destructive in attack on inc
carly corn than on that maturing late III
the season.
There is no remedy that is entirely sat
isfactory in preventing the attack Oh the
insects on the grain as it stands III the
fields The only sure method OF
protection is in gathering the gram as
soon as it is sufficiently ripened, ana theh
fight the enemy in the bulk, i'll the CRIBS OF
in the bins. The insect that does the ms
chief-the weayil hy-frequently deposits
its eggs under the shuck before the gram
is removed from the field. One method OF
DESTROYING the insect is in bulking the grain
while it is in a somewhat damp condition
so that it will undergo heat which, Whlle
it will in no way seriously in ure the grain,
viii be sufficiently strong to destroy the
vitality of the eggs and even kill the in
sects that may be living in the grain at
the time. The eggs and the insects Also
may be destIoyed by the fumes and heat
ensuing from mixture of salt and lime
partially Stacked. There. is DANGER how
ever, in putting the grain on lime that is
not Stacked, unless the shuck is sufficiently
damp to prevent combustion
Scattering lime freshly Stacked over the
bottom or floor of cribs and bins and
through the pile of grain will prevent the
depreciation of the insects. If salt is
sprinkled freely through the heap it will
add u the virtue of the remedy and it will
also add to the value of the shuck as Il
food for cattle-for it must be remembered
that in putting up the corn it is always
safest to keep the shucl on if you wish
to fight the weevil successfully
One of the most effective of the remedies
against Weevils is in the bsulphide of car
bon. This emits a fume or gas which is
death to vermin. The preparation should
be confined In an open mouth bottle.
placed i'll the crib so that there is no danger
OF spilling the contents Tie over the
mouth of the bottle thin muslin cloth,
and over all place box or bag that is
sufficiently full of holes to allow the gas
or Yapor to escape upward and around.
1t must be born in mind also that this
Vapor IS highly infammable, and when the
preparation is placed in crib or grain
mousse, no light of lam, candle match or
otherwise SHOULD be taken near for at least
ten days after this time there is danger.
These two remedies--the salt and lime
and the bisulphide of carbon--will prevent
the expectations not only of weevils, but
OF mice and rats also. Rodents hear no
special liking to lime and they always
avoid 1t when possible. The Importance
OF preserving grain crops and the freouen-
cy with which inquiries about weevils
have reached this office must be our ex
cuSe-lt excuse is needed-for putting This
matter in the form of an editorial on TN.
subject. M NJ