The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-09
ENEMY OF CORN CROP.
Small Caterpillar Threatens South
ern CrOp-Means Used to Destroy
The Worm

Atlanta Journal.
The corn crop OF the South Is threatened
with total loss by the destructive onslaught
OF the larger cotton stalk borer, new enemy
that has come to devastate the fields OF grow
Many letters have been received by State
Entomologist Scott from farmers In all selec-
tlons of the State, anil he has received quite
stalks upon which he finds his existence.
The worm is hatched from the eggs OF a
moth that lays on the young stalk OF corn.
The period Of Matching requires little more
than week, and the moment the newborn
pest opens It's eyes In the new world he be
gins boring his way into the heart OF the
stalk. killing and poisoning the life OF the
State Entomologist Scott, in an interesting
interview this morning, tells the full story
of the worm and the remedy that must De ap'
piled to save the crop from destruction.
Entomologist Scott, In speaking OF the
worm which is so destructive, says:
1.-THE larger cornstalk borer ts large white
caterpillar, dotted with dark brown spots,
which bores into corn stalks preventing the
growth of the ears an young corn and weaken
ing older stalks on that II is readily blown
down. 1t frequently occurs In such numbers
In corn fields that one stalk Of corn may be
riddled with twenty or thirty holes.
This insect is quite we'll distributed over
the southern States and frequently becomes
very troublesome, causing loss OF 2 TO 81
per cent OF the crop when 1t occurs In large
numbers. Aside from corn 1t also attacks
sugar game, sorghum, and gama grass or
semain grass. .
eggs on young corn soon after 1t comes up.
The eggs soon hatch and the young larvB
bore into the stalk from the ground to the
third Joint and tunnel usually upward
through the path. Corn stalks affected be-
come distorted and do not form ears
There Is second generation of this insect
which bores into the we'll grown stalks and
so weakens them that they are frequently
blown over. This second generation passes
the winter in the old corn stalks ready TO
produce spring brood to attack the next
crop of corn.
"The remedy for this insect consists entire.
ly OF preventive measures. Since the cater.
pillars over-winter in the old corn stalks
they can be almost entirely destroyed by
burning these stalks in the fall or winter
after the crop Ia gathered.
"Our method of pulling the fodder and
leaving the stalks on the ground, or even cut
ting the corn and leaving the butts, affords
the very best conditions for this insect TO hold
over the winter and continue TO multiply
wear after year. The stalks should be drag
ged off, collected and burned during the fall
and winter"
"Again, corn should not follow corn on In
tested lands. A system OF rotation OF crops
should be adopted, so that corn will not be
planted on the same land two years In sue:
cession. The same Is true OF sugar cane ana
sorghum. Also swamps In which CANA grass
Is growing should be burned over every year
to destroy the worm infesting this grass. j
these preventive measures are followed farm
ers need not suffer from attacks of the pest"