The Dickinson press., 1896-09-12
H.e..!asA!ss;24=
A6R!|!!!!%dn1IgI!!RN
NI%~~-=
THE ARMY WORM.

THE ARMY WORM.
Some Practical Hints About Fight.
ing the Pest.
Prof. Otto Lugger. the state cnto-
mologist Of Mime sofa. has been max
ing an extended investigation concern
ing the army worm, and has issued a
bulletin with regard to it, from which
we take the following extracts. He
says that these worms do not do as
much damage as might be supposed
from their large numbers. This is be-
cause at the time these armies are
formed the grain is usually nearly ripe,
or has been already cut. He further
says:
when we look at these worms. COM
posing such an army, we lind that a
large number are badly infested with
parasites. One of every three worms
has from one to six c~"cam-colored
minute eggs fastened there by a conf
mon looking fly. that looks very much
like a thrifty and ovcrfed house fly. II
you watch these flies depositing their
eggs you will see a peculiar and novel
sight. They hustle around their in
tended victim, which is we'll aware of
the intended purpose of its enemies.
and twists and comforts it's body in a
most violent manner, ut the same time
%ejecting the nasty stomach fluid
toward the tormnntor. But all in vain;
before long the fly has deposited its
eggs and visits another victim. Sew
eral other parasites are now exceed
ingly numerous. These have a more
cruel way of reaching the end in view,
as they insert their eggs into the living
worm. Those that wish to see the
actual struggle for existence should
so to the trouble Of going to a field in
Tested with army worms at night time
with Il lantern. They would be able to
see a large number of insects and ami
mails come to the feast served 10 them
by nature.
sit would take too much time to en-
large upon these points. but they all
show that the army worm is no to be
blamed for moving away.
Like in so many other cases, an
ounce of prevention is worth Il pound
of cure. Ii We look over the fields in
which army worms are playing such
havoc, we can soon trace that they
came from Il more or less well defined
space. This space is either a low piece
of land, overgrown with coarse swamp
grass, or it is a remnant OF an old hay
or straw pile that ought to have been
removed long ago. Such and similar
places are selected by the moths which
come from such worms as escape de-
Struction to lay their Eggs IL. Here
the few that succeed in Wintering over
as very minute worms have an oppcr-
tunity to grow and to produce the first
generation of moths, which are never
injurious. These moths, however, at
the rate at which they increase, are
perfectly able to produce innumlerable
armies later in the season., provided,
however, they are favored with such a
suitable condition as Il wet spring. If
we follow one of these worms we will
see that it disappears from view in
about four days from now. 1t forces
its way into the soil, and by turning
roInd and round it forms there a cell,
in which it changes into a reddish
brown pupa. from which the moths
issue, and to show the power OF in
crease it is only necessary to mention
that they lay about $50 eggs, which
hatch in about eight days.
Now, what shall we do to fight
these nasty worms? Now that the
greater damage has been done, a real
remedy comes too late. Yet there is a
sort Of fascination in the thought that
we can kill immense numbers of these
disgusting insects. They nearly all
nov in one general direction. which is
III Il favor. BY moving off Il wide
Swath between the fields invaded, and
the fields to which the worms are trav-
cling. and then blowing a deep furrow
with its straight side toward the part
10 be protected, we have an excellent
trap, which can he improved on ac-
cording to the conditions Of the ground,
by making holes with a crowbar into
which the worms tumble. In most
cases this deep furrow or ditch is sufli-
cient, but if the number of worms is
very great, a second parallel furrow
should be made, throwing the earth
over into the first furrow, for in so do
ing the prisoners r covered up and
we start a new line of defense. Many
other methods are in vogue, but they
are all simply notifications of this sys-
ten, and any person with a little inge-
nuity can add to them. If the furrow
made is kept fairly dusty it forms a
barrier which few can scale.
IL 10 SOlllClilllcS recommended 10
spray with Paris green all the plants
In the way over which the army worm
passes. 1t seems to me that is an ex-
cellent remedy in theory, but l have
failed thus far to receive any good re-
suits from it.
Farmers need not fear a repetition
of the army worm for some time, ex-
cept the spring Of 1897 should be again
exceptionally wet. The very great ma
jority of these worms are doomed to
die by their numerous enemies; nor is
there any danger that the army worm
will. ever eat flax, a fear expressed by
some people in their letters. The food
of the army worms is taken solely
from the grass family"
Value of Rye and How 1t In Grown.
A correspondent Of the Indiana
Farmer says a few farmers properly
appreciate the value of rye. Its value
consists in being an excellent forage
crop, being more certain of a yield than
wheat, better than other small grains
for seeding down to timothy and
clover, aud, finally, because it not only
Is not hard on the ground but actually
improves it. From time to time l have
grown it upon my farm and l find al
Of the above statements true. | SOW
rye the first days Of Superintendent,
to be entirely through by the 9Th, drill
In standing corn at the rate of one
bushel of clean seed per acre, using j;
six-hoed one-horse drill. II it is a fl
vorable fall you will have a fine
growth. and during March and Apri
UP to May 10th or 18th you car
pasture it in moderation with ewes ant
lambs, or calves. then take off and Still
have a fair crop. Your pasture thu!
gained will pay for labor and seed ant
the grain will be clear gain. l hav'
done that and still had a yield Of fifteel
bushels per acre. Or you can turn
your market steers ON about April LIST
keeping up their grain ration for a few
days. and see how they will improve
Rye does not seem to make them scou
as young grass does at first; and yo1
can have 4 months excellent grazing
before. the bluegrass pasture is ready
Then you can let it ripen fall dow!