New-York tribune., 1899-06-14
DROUTH IN THE STATE.
THE HUDSON RIVER VALLEY SUFFERS
FROM LACK OF RAIN.
HAY CROP FAILURD-CoRN AND POTATOES
HAVE 4 CHANcE-THE CATERPILLAR rEsr.

HAY CROP A FATLURE-CORN AND POTaIoAD
HAVE a CHANcE-THE CATERPILLAR rEsT
Albany June Il (speciaD.-Charles A. wietins.
the Commissioner OF Agriculture OF this State.
is becoming alarmed the reports OF the effect
OF the lack of rainfall in most OF the counties OF
the State
The drouth is especially along the Hud-
son River Valley" said Mr.. Weting to-day, "ano
should judge that the farms on Long Island arc
about burned up Senator Amber was In here TINS
morning from Chatham, in Columbia County. he
reports that the drouth is severe in Columbia
County live in Schohsrie County. There on the
highlands the effect OF the lack OF rain Is OBSERVE
BILE in the dred-up condition OF the pastures In
the lowlands where there is more moisture the
drouth is just beginning 10 be felt. We raise
good many hops in Schoharie and Otsego coun-
ties, and the part is badly in need OF rain
THE HAY CROP A FAILURE.
The hay crop in the Hudson River Valley win -
a failure. Small fruits also suffering. Corn
also is affected somewhat all over the State but
late rains may revive IT. Potatoes also have yet
chance"
Then Commissioner wieting referred to another
subject of interest. The peculiar climatic conoi-
tions" he said have given chance for the de-
veopment of a multitude OF enemies OF the cropss
The forest tree caterpillars are making great on
slaught upon orchards and forest trees. ror '"o
weeks now | have had two men constantly al worA
fighting these caterpillars which have INVADED my
thing which would seem 10 eayor OF exaggeraton'
but Il is true that my think they destroy
about ten bushels OF caterpillars day IN that ut-
tie orchard OF only three acres II wouio hot -
worth while TO defend the orchard al such EXPENSE
but | wish to learn way OF poisoning these
caterDlars for reports come to me OF their raw
ages in a majority OF the counties OF the state. -
have tried spraying the trees with dilutions Oh ar
senic and OF Paris green, but up 10 this time 'ne
has had no effect am now trying the experime"
OF drenching the trees with dilution OF kerose'S
oil OF course do not wish to kill the trees whiie
protecting them from the caterpiliars ana there-
fore am taking pain. 70 dilute the kerosene OIL "
7 can discover a remedy shall issue a bulletin
the subject.
CATERPIILARs UNUSUALLY HEALTHY.
"One OF the troubles about this caterpillar pest -
that no parasite has yet attacked this ca'erp'nai.
Usually the balance OF nature Il restored IN ina.
uav These caterpillars are absolutely healthy, ana
fear that they will devastate the trees or the staS
next year greatly II no remedy Is discovered :
have thought OF putting a big barrel on my mower
and filling 1, with a dilution OF Kerosene OIL anu
then using the machinery of the mower 10 run
big pump and spray In that way 'hhh Can
destroy the pest" ~ ..
Mr. Wieting called attention TO buIeuh 'u..
issued by the chronological division OF the Cornea
1rn;versi,v expernnent station upon the forest
caterpillar This emergency report was ~rit'e"
nv NJ v Slingerland who says In closing MS TO
port:
Shade trees can be- and have been sprayed WIN
a noisonous mixture and these forest tent ca'sI
affairs killed thereby But the spraying must ~"
done early in the spring, after the Iittle cAoefph
lars hatch when the first leaves are unlouIns an
annaratus $3.50 at easD and experienced men "
operate IT, 1t is the nastiest KIND OF "oTa, any a.
chemicals would be quite an Item. .iehce =.
doubtful II spraying could be successfully ehX1ySea
TO control these caterpiars In many yases,
the caterpillars get half or two-tnirds ero"n q
thev are now Qast week of May), they are 40 aISe
that IL would be very expensive haree, Savs a.
them enough paris green TO XIII theln W. ,., uc 90
would be cheaper easier ana more t1oro,rS
either enlist the children or TO carry on slsvpss
warfare against the nearly full-grown ca'erpaa s
during the latter part OF May ana the hfs' "eeA Va
TWO In June along the following lines;
Colonies OF caterpars can be seen at sinosS ~
,Tne ~ day clustered together on the bark or rne
trurk or large branches OF the infested trees Inc
ample tent ca terpillar may usually De loulio ~
nest during the day but Its forest reIative "a
30 such retreat or home. Where these CLUSTERS "
caterplars occur in reach on the UuIhs ~ "a "a
aes IL is an easy matter to sweep them on ana
crusb them IL Is also easy matter 10 osioeso
the clusters occurring high up IN the Tree o LIN t
hrenches one has simply to chno tne 49, .sii
nodded mallet and suddenly jar ,snaans 80
Clustered when nearly every caterpiar VII, Sros v
to the ground II shot some spinning @ uomn q, W "a
siIken Thread which. however. they seem !" o. 70
mnaha 10 ascend as a canker worm uoes .,ioro Uro
should not be satisfied with 1arrins lne shnui6
On to the ground but a sheet or canvas shou "nI
Save been previously spread beneath lhe uee a s.r
some one employed TO at once sweep ,ne .er r.
G,nnr. into some receptacle where they can "a
bbmrnsd or otherwise destroyed Iw1 .hen % ,orsst S
pu,ne 1S ramove and destroy nearly all tne tosess
'hus a,nrn,Ilars on a large shade tree IN iew
tene tinutes and thus stop the preeu"e "
Tor