The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-18
WEEVIL IN CORN.

in THE STATESMAN OF the 9th inst.
on my method of destroying the wee
vii expresses apprehension of the dan
ger of the remedy, and would like tc
know how it could be enforced with
safety. 1t appears he fears an explos'
ion should light be brought into a
bin that has bottle Of exposed bisul'
phuret of carbon deeply imbedded III
the corn. Such danger does not eX'
list. 1t is true the remedy is highly
volatile and inflammatory. The fol
lowing experiment will verify my
statement and point out the compare
tive safety of this method of destroy
ing weevils: Pour about half a
teaspOonful of the sulpuret OF carbon
into a clean dry teacup, make a little
warm TO induce high state of evapo-
ration, and to make the test in most
thorough manner ignite a match ana
hold it about foot above the cup,
gradually bringing it down until you
reach the ignition point, which will
be about two and Il half inches from
1e fluid itself. The temperature OF
the cup will vary at this point, but at
"crib heat" it may not he more than
half an inch. When the burning
match is brought to the Ignition line
very quick vivid flash will follow.
But the part that is consumed in this
explosion is the fluid in state of con-
centrated evaporation. After the ex-
plosion of this vapor the residue of the
iluid apparently not diminished)
slowly burns away in beautiful blue
flame.
1t is evident from this experiment
if the fluid was explosive like all ex-
plosives it would leave no residue to
be slowly burned away.
The cause OF this partial explosion
results from chemical decomposition
in the process OF evaporation, in
which a carbOnic oxide and sulphu-
rated hydrogen are set fire and prove
explosive by the conjoined action OF
oxygen in the air and heat. On the
same principle Il certain equivalent of
atmospheric air mixed with hydrogen
gas proves highly explosive when
brought in contact with fire. Take
the bisulphuret of carbon and pour it
into the hole of an ants nest and
touch it Off with a match, the contact |
of the fluid with the water of the soil,
will greatly augment it's explosive
powers The chemist will see what
role the hydrogen plays in this expe-
riment.
Now in placing one or more quart
bottles of the bisulphuret of carbon in
q bin, in the manner suggested, as the
above experiment will show, it is
simply impossible for any light of q
lamp to reach the line of ignition.
Treat the insecticide with a little re-
spect, as you do gun powder, dyna-
harm will occur.
very recently took up my bottles
out of the crib and found them empty.
All the fluid they contained, as | had
anticipated had disappeared by
evaporation. But with what final
effect on the corn it is interesting to
study. 1t is evident that the vapor
being toxic and very searching,
proved to be an INN 9diate insecti-
eide, and what afforded perpetual
protection of the corn, after the fluid
lad been exhausted, was the sulphu-
rous penetration it received and re-
famed. q. 7. HACHENBERG, NJ. ID.
Austin.
MEMLorUs OR CHILEAN CLOVER.
Agriculmral Editor of the Statesman.
am sorry that you and the farmers
n your section are not acquainted
with Melilotus, for il you were think
you would like it. Some of our oldest
and best farmers say it is worth more
per acre than they can figure out. |
think your farmers must be mistaken
about what they call Melilotus, it
must be something else or they would
not understand how to cultivate it.
II Melilutus that we have was
sent here from Chile about fifteen
years ago by student who went
here and saw the clover and was so
we'll pleased with it that he sent
some of the seed back to the old pro-
essor for him to distribute ii among |
he boys to see how it would do here.
t should be planted in February or I
March, just as soon as the freezes are
,ver. think the best way is to plant
With oats. The cats protect it from
he cold while it is small and it gets
arge enough to stand the hot sun by
he time the oats are taken off. The
and should be prepared
ust as for oats. Sow ]
IN top and run light harrow over it. |
Half a bushel per acre is required for ]
planting.
1t should be cut before blooming
md lie in the sun half day, then
laul and put away. Some house it as
Don as it is cut, but | think it ought
o cure some, but not too long. If left
n the sun too long it will shed leaves.
Stock will not eat it until they are
ducated to the taste of it, especially ;
while it is green. 1t is very easy to
ret rid of and we don't mind it any I
more than weed land we take in for
Seed will stay on the
ground all winter and come up in the
pring, or rather seed itself. 1t comes
rom the seed the first year and from (
he root the next. Land should be
eeded two years in succession and
hen you will have fine crop every
year. y. Il. SANDERS.
Cedarville, Ala.
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