The Globe-republican., 1897-12-02

n.y. eIC. III MARY.
land it is especially injurious to stored
wheat, and very often so Injuries the
seed that it is unfit for planting. Corn
coming from the South, especially the
mint variety, is apt to be full of these
insects. Recently a manufacturer of
hominy in Baltimore told me they had
much trouble from this insect in their
corn. An exporter of grain also told
me they had to be on the constant
lookout Tor this pest in every cargo OF
corn or wheat received from the South.
Last TALL and winter, while attending
the various farmers institutes in the
different counties, almost invariably
this pest came up for discussion. It
was originally imported from Europe
BY the early settlers of Virginia in
their. supplies of wheat brought from
the old country. Once established on
American soil, it has spread far and
wide throughout the United States,
Texas, perhaps, suffering more than
any other state from its ravages. Much
unnecessary loss is incurred each sea-
SON simply from lack of Information
concerning its habits and remedies
for its destruction. 1t is not difficult
to detect the presence of this insect
In wheat and corn in store. The grain
Is light and very often peppered full OF
little round holes about the size OF q
pins head, the interior of the grain
having been eaten out by the young Of
the moth. Very often the attack is 80
bad that nothing but an empty hull is
left. The parent insect responsible
for this destruction is a small gray
moth, resembling a clothes moth, and
measures only about half an inch with
its wings spread. 1t has satiny lus-
ter, and its hind wings are deeply
fringed. The eggs are deposited upon
the grain both in the field and in the
granary. Usually about week passes
before. the egg matches. The young
worm Immediately eats its way into
the kernel, where it feeds about three
weeks before maturity is reached. It
then transforms to pupa, from which
the adult moth emerges little later.
It passes the winter in barns, gran
aries, storehouses, ETC., and when es-
tablished in an elevator or granary
win breed generation after generation.
Soon after harvest the moth flies out
from the granaries to the fields and
deposits her eggs upon wheat still in
shock or stack. The larva passes
through the thresher in the grain un-
hurt, and is carried back to the gran
ary, etc. 1t is plain from these facts
that if granaries are kept free from
this pest the shocks will not become
infested in the fields. If an individual
farmer, however, takes the trouble to
disinfect his granary, his wheat shocks
will be infested from moths coming
from the storehouses of his neighbors,
provided he does not thresh very sooD
after harvest or before the eggs hatch
and the larvae penetrate the grain. ]
know there Is more or less difficulty In
getting thresher at the proper time,
and where the wheat must be left In
the fields the farmer should disinfect
his granary soon after the wheat II
stored. This insect has several nat
ural enemies. and have bred several
smhll-winged parasites from it. No
doubt these agents keep it in check
to q limited extent; but We must look
to other sources for more efficient rem
edies. The most satisfactory remedy
now known is from the fumes Of BIZ |
sulphide Of carbon. This chemical is |
. very inflammable, volatile, foul |
smelling liquid, as clear as water, with
q vapor SO much heavier than air It |
will penetrate every possible crack and
crevice in a storehouse or bin. It can
be thrown directly upon the grain |
without injuring its vitality or its edi- |
BILE qualities. Many persons hesitate
about using this bisulphide of carbon |
Tor fear of fire or injury to the grain.
have never heard of a case where a
IRE was caused by the use of this SUBJ |
stance, or where grain was injured, |
where it was used cautiously. Gun.
powder, gasoline, kerosene, ETC.. are
explosive when carelessly
handled: and so is bisulphide of car
bon. This latter is not explosive in
the same sense as gunpowder: but, like
gasoline and kerosene, its fumes must
Be mechanically mixed with the air be-
fore 1t will cause an explosion. There
b NO danger whatever if used properly.
One pound Of bisulphide Of carbon to
every one hundred bushels Of grain is
al that Is necessary for the destruction
Of insects. It Is best to place the ma
tefial In shallow dishes or pans upon
the grain. and then close the bin tight
b for at least twenty-four hours. Many
persons make . mistake by not using
enough Of the substance. and then say
& is OF no account. It Is an easy mat
Ter to estimate the number Of bushels
Of grain In any enclosure. and then It
d not . dimcult task to calculate how
many pounds Of bisulphide should be
applied. II 1t is desired to fumigate
enpty bins. ETC., one pound Of the
cAemical should be used for every 1000
eublc feet Of air space. Bisulphide Of
caFbon ID not expensive. and can be
bOaght In twenty-iive and ffty-pound