The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-06-06
INSECT TRAMPS.
The Way Our Potatoes are Destroyed,
md the Manner in which Insects
Nav he Killed.
Clemson college, =. c.. Jun

| May he hiIieU.
Clemson college, =. G.. June 1, 1901.
For the benefit nf the readers o1 your paper
we give IN the following a few remarks on
the introduction of The Colorado potato bee
tIee (d"ra phura decemliueata), into this cuun
try, and how this destructive enemy of thu
potato may he destroyed.
| As is we'll known, q great many insect
tranpS have come TO us from Europe and
from Australia. and appropriated whatever
pleased them best of our growing crops OF
stored grain. But, two of our very worst in
| sect pests have sWarmed out on us in hOrdes
| from their strongholds in the region Of the
| Rocky mountains. These are the Rocky
mountain locust, and the ever dreaded and
destructive Colorado potato beetle.
| The latter insect dwelt near the base of the
Rocky mountains, feeding upon the sandburr
(snionnn' rOstratuml. until about the year
| 1857. AT this time this beetle began to be a
tiers in that region. Having acquired the
habit Of feeding upon the cultivated potato,
| il began It's eastward march across the conti-
nent. spreading from potato patch to potato
patch. At first the migration took place at
about the rate OF fifty miles year. but later,
it was more rapid and in the year 1874 the In.
sect reached the Atlantic coast. since spread
inc. over almost every State in the Union,
making It's presence known by its lengthy
visits 10 the potato patches OF the farmers
finally appearing In a very destructive form
in the potato patches near Mt. Carmel, re.
Gently.
The question may be asked, why did this
beetle not appear more numerous In early
history" This may be accounted for by the
fact that they had a very scanty and limited
vegetation upon which to feed. But, Just as
soon as the farmer OF that time began to cul-
tivate the potato. which afforded them pas
turage SO to speak, they began 10 multiply
more rapidly. Thus we see why the pest OF
today Is more widespread than 1t was In for.
mer times.
This insect is readily destroyed by the use
OF Paris green, applied In the form OF q pow
der or dust. -.....
To prevent injury to the plant. dilute the
Paris green with flower or lime, until the
mixture takes on q slightly greenish ttnge
or, take one heaping tablespoonful OF Paris
lime. This may be applied with specially
contrived bellows, but the most convenient
method OF applying this is with small bag
OF rs ounce osnaourg CLOTH" or small flour
over each row, dusting the vines, as 1t were.
The application Is preferably made In early
morning or late evening, when the dew Is on,
to cause the poison to adhere better TO the TO
| liage. In case Of q heavy rain shortly after
an application. has been made, it would be
we'll to make another application Immediate
| ly; for allowing the potato vines 10 remain
one day with the poison not on them is court
One would also benefit by keeping con.
| stant watch over his potatoes, and destroying
the little black beetle as soon as tt is hatched.
to destroy their eggs, which are deposited in
parallel rows on the under surface OF the low
This diluted poison may aiso,be applied to
the cabbage with good results II will Ger.
tainly do the little green cabbaEe worm up In
short order, and any other cabbage eating In.
sect. 81 81 AZ :.
back, Is very destructi ge& t6 Sbages, rad:
ishes, and turnips In th6S$1Q States and
Lon the Pacific coast. Befofk ~ any fur
thsr remarks e, =, this swSsa sssr5
have probably never cticsdA 81 be.
fore, would not be ont Of place here is 9
small black insect with bands. pes. and
Sss Of ss qfaSgs q eTp; s
early spring each female lays on the fun1et
surface Of the young leaves about twelve Ages
in two parallel rows The young busasar
palegreen, with black. spots. hey mature Ia
one season. It 10 difficult 70 dnd 9, remedy
| for this pest, but much can be donesby plao'
| ing cabbage and turnip leaves on the ground
in early spring, and thus trapping tnem Wnen .s
or, probably 1t would be better to plant q row
Of mustard, radishes, or crees around the en-.
tire patch, to serve as q trap crops and 10 ear
~ irf infested destroy both plant and bug by
burning or spraying with strong Kerosene
II the arst brood is destroyed before their
| eggs are Q6pOSlL6Q, Huy Ou0 WOuiu AuCSSSWibh
very little difieuity in keeping this pest
down. But. should he fail 10 destroy the first
brood, It would then be impossible TO get rid
Of the insect entirely. So, to combat this in-
Paris green, to kill. must be taken internally,
and as this is q sucking insect, it would be
useless and wasting time to- apply Paris
green for the destruction Of this pest. There
fore. for this insect to be held In check, or
eradicated, substance which will kill on
contact must necessarily be employed These
are preferably the, "fnger and thunb' and
Kerosene emulsion is prepared as follows {:
Thorough dissolve from u to TX pounds OF
common laundry soap In onegallon OF bot
water, then add to this soap soiutio Two gal
then agitated violently from eight to ten
minutes. This is the stock solution, and
On ust be diluted according 10 the insect for
" which you are about to spray and the Kind OF
plant to be sprayed. JvE. Cheatnam.