Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1897-05-01

often Wnen pest makes lVS APPS'A"A~
the orchardist waits for more conven-
lent season to commence fighting It.
Meantime the insect has had q chance
to lay its eggs or perhaps to produce an
other generation thus increasing many
fold the number that must now be fought
Until one understands how very rapidly
many insects multiply they can hardly
realize the importance of trying to get
rid of pest Just as soon as it is found IN
the orchard or field. 1t is always much
easier and cheaper to prevent an insect
from getting a start in the orchard than
it is to fight it after it has gained b firm
/ foothold.
High cultivation not only makes the
tree or other plant yield its best returns
but it is we'll known fact that a strong
healthy plant is not nearly as apt to be
attacked by insect pests rs one that Is
already weakened, or if it be attacked, 1t
is able to stand much more injury with
out the effect being shown in the crop it
yields. The first and best way OF fight
ing insect pests would seem to be then
to keep the plant in the very best con-
dition possible by high cultivation,
judicious pruning, fertilization, etc.
Many OF our most injurious insects
pass the winter months under rubbish
OF various kinds that lies scattered over
the farm. If this rubbish is not allowed
to accumulate such insects would be
more likely to perish during the winter.
1t will also reduce the opportunities for
feeding and breeding and allow more
thorough application of insecticides. In
orchards this recommendation for clean
culture is of especial Importance. Many
insects breed and complete their devel-
opment in dead wood or fallen fruit, 9TH
ers pass the winter months or lay their
winter eggs upon the smaller branches
of the tree. ii the orchardist would take
the pains to trim out and burn all the
dead and infected branches and to see
that all fallen fruit was destroyed, there
would be little complaint from some of
| btit lISGClS liidJ ttlG llOh eel lotlG JtflG'
Many insects live only on one kind Of
plant and when not able to find this
plant they perish or are scattered 80 to
do little damage. This fact may often
be taken advantage Of by Il system OF
crop rotation.
Many small plants, especially in the
garden, may be protected by screens or
other devices for keeping the pests away
from the plants.
Many insects may be killed or exposed
TO their enemies by blowing the field late
in the fell. Many OF the wire-worms,
the eggs OF grasshoppers and other pests
are thus destroyed Late blowing OF
fallow lands is especially important as
there are usually many insects in such
fields.
Hand picking is the simplest way Of
getting rid OF many Of the larger insect
pests. Large caterpillars, Ike The to-
mato-worm and the larvae Of other moths
are also best fought by gathering them
of after they have collected in their
'tents," and crushing or burning them.
In the fall or winter the eggs OF such
moths as the tussock moth are easily
gathered and destroyed
Often insects may be found collected
in considerable numbers under loose
boards or boxes scattered over ahe field.
If such places be examined occasionally
many injurious insects may be destroyed.
The larvae of certain moths as the cod
lin-moth, pupate in any sheltered place
they find on the trunk of the tree. Ad-
vantage may often be taken of the habit
by placing band of hurlap or other
substance around the tree under which
the larvae collect and where they may
ersily be destroyed. The use of lights
in the field to attract moths does not
seem to be successful, at least in this
state, although Il large number OF the
cut-worm moths may thus be destroyed.
The codlin-moths are not attracted to
these lights.
The most widely used and perhaps the
most effective method OF fighting insect
! pests after they have obtained foothold
in the orchard, is the use OF insecticides
or Insect poisons. These may be consid-
cred under two heads: First the inter
nal pOisons or those which take effect by
being eaten along with the ordinary food
OF the insect; second the external irri-
tants which take effect by closing the
breathing pores or by causing extreme
irritation. The kind of insecticide to be
used depends in large degree upon the