The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-19
ENEMY OF CORN CROP.
Small Caterpillar Threatens South
ern CrOp-Means Used to Destroy
the Worm.
Atlanta ,IQnrnal.

Atlanta JOurnal.
The corn crop OF the South is threatened
with total loss by the destructive onslaught
| of the larger cotton stalk borer, a new enemy
that has come to devastate the fields of grow
ing grain.
Entomologist Scott from farmers In al! selec
tions of the State, anil he has received quite
an Interesting collection OF the worm and the
stalks upon which he finds his existence.
The worm is hatched from the eggs OF
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 ne pc
gins boring his way into the heart OF the
stalk. killing and poisoning the lie OF the
State Entomologist Scott. in an interesting
interview this morning, tells the full story
OF the worm and the remedy tnas mTst be ap
Entomologist Scott. In speaking OF the
worm which is so destructive. says:
Toe larger cornstalk borer Is large white
caterpillar, dotted with dark brown spots,
which bores into corn stalks preventing the
growth of the ears sn young corn and weaken
ing older stalks on that 1t is readily blown
down. 1t frequently occurs In such numbers
riddIed III SHed VsiS Wisn tWsnty wen or thirty holes
"This insect is quite well distributed over
the southern States and frequently becomes
very troublesome, causing loss OF 70 10 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.
"The adult insect is a moth which deposits
eggs on young corn soon after 1t comes up
The eggs soon hatch and the young larv@
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 a 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 a spring brood TO attack the next
"fhe 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 70 hold
over the winter and continue TO multiply
year 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 1s true OF sugar cane and
sorghum. Also swamps In which gama 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"