The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-04
PROFESSOR SNOW ATTACKS BUG
Early Campaign Must be Made Against the
ChincheS,


Lawrence, Kan, March 3.-Chancel-
Tor F. II. Snow, director of the univer-
sity experimental station for expert
menting with the diseases of the chinch
bug, has his fifth annual report in the
hands of the state printer. It contains
many interesting facts.
During the season reported upon, the
summer of 1895, closer observations Of
fields by laboratory agents We're made
than in any previous season. In the
laboratory experiments were performed
to test every condition liable to arise
in the application of the disease to the
field.
The chinch bug. unlike all other
farm products. thrives best in dry
weather and the dryer the weather the
more chinch bugs. This nature of
the beast" and the peculiar nature of
the Kansas climate make a state of
affairs hard to regulate. The rainfall
from January l 10 June !. five months
was smaller than in any corresponding
five months during the past twenty
eight years. During the last two
months of this period the chinch bug
and all his relatives were more than
multiplying. 1t is also a fact that the
fungus being a plant requires moisture
III 10 picpGl GULLY llOll. mere WdS a
problem hard 10 solve. Added to this
was the fact that the early spring and
corresponding early harvest of the
wheat caused the young bugs to go
earlier into the cornfields than ever be-
fore The corn, being at that time
young and tender, the bugs were the
better able 10 destroy il.
On the other hand, during the sea-
son Of 1894 such large quantities of the
fungus had been scattered over the
state by Chancellor Snow that in the
spring Of 1895 there was hardly a field
that did not contain some of the dis
ease which had survived the winter
Then, too, owing TO the early spring,
it was possible TO spread the fungus
through the fields during the month
OF May. Extra men were employed
and the warfare Waged in every local
ity.
In some places the success was very
marked. in others not so much. and in |
stu others there were total failures.
In these last localities the rains of |
June and July came too late TO start |
the fungus and too late to stop the |
ravages of the insects. Had it not been |
for the previous years work it is doubt |
full if in some sections the seasons |
work would have counted for much.
In June, July and August very heavy |
rams came and it was noticed that the |
rains do not destroy the bugs. but they |
do give the fungus a growing power |
and strength that renders it more |
deadly
II was found that the growth OF the |
fungus is 20 small extent dependent |
upon the kind Of sell and the drainage |
Of the field. 4 ciayey soil easily baked |
IS not 50 good : loose. friable soil. |
Elevation portions of a field are not So
good as the low lying parts. 1t would |
seem, then. that the power of the infec
ton n destroy the bugs depends almost |
entirely upon the amount of moisture
at the time Of and the time previous TO
the placing Of il in the field
Experiments thai have been very suc
cessful in the laboratory have not been
efficient in the field. owing. no doubt.
10 an insufficient knowledge of the nee
asSarE conditions. This knowledge can
be obtained by experience and no doubt
VIII be. one such experiment. was the |
artificial culture of the fungus and the
spraying process. Another experiment
tried IS the Barrier method used with |
varying success.
Chancellor Snow for the fifth time |
warns the farmers of the need of watch
-ul2e>S IN the early spring and during
the late fall The destruction Of IRE
'lG brood means a smaller brood the
next season He advises.as he has ad-
Sised oesore.that county organiza lions !
be formed. having for their sole pur-
pose the destruction ~ the chinch bug.
Ebert must be united or it viii be of
NO avail.
The various diseases Of the chincb
bug are discussed. The Investigations
10 HE field Of two assistants are given
in DETAIL as also the investiga tons Of
eeFeIal county agents. Information i
gwen regarding the latest methods Of
lSA.ilS The ch.nch bug and preventing
MS progress Suggestions Of great val
lie 10 the farmer ara given.
From his seasons work. Chancellor
snow concludes as follows:
FlrSt-That the infection survived
The winter OF 1Sg4-e5: second. thar H.
Infection survives all winter conditions
which chjuch bugs withstand.and mar
Infection Is not always necsS-
sary- third. -hat the weather .c4ndi-
ions affecting both the insect and The
disease must be taken into con sfdsrs-
-ol. fourth. every farmer should So !
10 Il tl8c tha infection aNtSts in nsrs
leila. and 4 i does not il mus. be in
reduced; iif-a. thac the farmer must
Use every natural means 10 aid the
disease
The report : interesting reading and
instructive ss wei. NJ grain raiser
should be ignorant OF the habits az The
Insects which poster him. As soon as
he report IS published & viii be dis
rlouted free throughout The state