Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1893-07-05
Chinch Bugs.

The chinch bug is making itself a
formidable enemy this season. How to
check its depredations? is the question.
Prof. Shows experiments with infected
bugs, in 1890, were successful in about
Is cases out of 100. Mr.. c. l. Human
is handling injected bugs now, and re-
ports considerable success. Where
failures have occurred. he attributes
them not to the uncertainty of the RENE
dy, but to the imperfection of the inoc-
ulatlon caused bp the haste with which
he is compelled to act, in order to sup
ply the demand. For this reason, bugs
are sometimes sent out that are not
thoroughly infected, and another batch
should be tried. Mr.. Human has tried
several experiments himself. which
have been uniformly successful so far
as killing the bugs was concerned. The
trouble is that the experiments are too
scattering. AT certain stage of their
growth, the bugs develop wings and be-
gin to fly. The result is that the man
who has already exterminated the bugs
on his place, finds. later, that bugs fly
in from his neighbours field, to take
their place. The proof of this is, that
oftentimes these older bugs begin in
the center OF. the field, instead of on the
edges.
To be successful these experiments,
there should be united action. Mr..
Human suggests that it would pay
farmers to hire some man. during such
seasons, to devote his time to this work,
or for the county to do so. Thus uni
form action would be secured, and the
work of determination, in any section
of the country, would be carried on on
the various farms, simultaneously.
This would render them less liable to
reappear another season, and in case
they should, the diseased bugs can be
kept in stock. ready to begin the work
of determination at their first appear
ance.
Make four thicknesses of cotton
cloth to tit the bottom OF an ordinary
10-pound tin lard bucket. Wiring out
the cloth after soaking in water, and
put it in the bottom of the bucket.
Put in the infected bugs, and about a
teaspoonful (if possible) of bugs from
the field. Put some bits of green wheat
or corn into the bucket and tie a cloth
over the top of the bucket so the bugs
cannot escape, and over the cloth place
board in oder to keep the interior
moist. After two days scatter one-half
the infected bugs where the bugs are
the thickest in the field. Replenish the
bugs in the bucket and continue to
scatter at intervals of two days. Keep
the bucket in the shade and sprinkle
the cloth in the bottom if it should be-
come dry.
If it IS desired to conduct the expert
ment on larger scale, shallow box
about 24x26x6 inches, with tight joints,
should be provided. Sprinkle the
whole inside of the box with water and
put in enough green wheat or corn to
cover the bottom. Scatter the infected
bugs over the bottom and put in
large quantity of live bugs from the
field-a quart would not be too many
for box of the size above suggested.
After the bugs have remained in the
box two days remove half of them alive
and dead, and infect the field and re-
plenish the injecting box as above de-
scribed.
Careful attention to these directions
will often secure success where care
less use Of the infection might insure
failure. Make daily observations on
the condition of affairs in the field and
of the weather while the field infection
is IN progress. Note carefully the
condition of things in neighboring
fields. Keep full note, and not fail
to report the results of the experiment.
Should the first lot of infected bugs
sent you seem to fail in its purpose
send without delay for new supply.
If any of your neighborS intend to ap-
ply for infected bugs inform them that
each applicant must send me box
of live bugs. Bugs should be sent in
tight tin box by main or express, pre-
paid. Put some green wheat or corn
in the box, but no soil. Make no holes
in the box for air. Send as many bugs
as convenient: at least half a pint.
The name of the sender should be put
on the box, and letter or card should
be written stating the fact that the box
had been sent. Yours truly,
+. II. SNOW,
Director Experimental Station.
P.S. Al this season of the year use
the box. Put three inches of last years
leaves over the bottom of the box and
keep we'll damp. Do not allow green
wheat or corn to rot IN the box.