The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-11-03

several trips Of Prof Blouln and Prof
kOebeie 70 Kauai and other Islands
seems also TO be interesting Louisi
ana The b7reT has gotten in its worl
chiefly al Maxwell Lihue. McBryd'
and Waimea plantations. although
none 81 the large estates have ESCAPED
from IL. Prof Koebele first tried bis
hand at eXterminating the pest. but
made little headway In the mean
while Prof BlOuin took the work NJ
iu conjunction with him. and since
then both specialists have done some
work.
The subject Is one hardly yet in
the hand Of ent0mologists. That they
know all about the worm Is true, but
they know nothing Of the remedy.
save the results OF primary expert
ments. Prof. II. A. Morgan read be
fore the Louisiana Sugar Planters
Association on October 10 a paper on
the subject Of the cane borer. which
is the result OF the latest inyestiga-
tion. and viii certainly prove OF in
terest 20 all planters and persons in
tercsted 10 cane culture In the Isl
ands. The paper is as follows:
AZ your meeting held In November Of
last year an attempt was made t0 give ali
that was then known Of the life. history
and habits of the sugar cane borer IN Lon
isiaua. Since that time a closer study has
ifen niade Of the life Of this pest. much
new and valuable data has been secured
and We now feel better prepared 20 dis
cuss This subject from the standpoint Of
suggesting measures which will prevent
the Wholesale rayages of this insect. II not
eradicate it from the cane and corn fields
Of the State
At the November meeting we practical
~ knew nothing of the winter life Of the
horcr. and much less of its habits and
iood-plants Of early spring. Just where
and how Il managed 10 survive the winter.
ana IN what sta"e Of It's existence this was
accomplished. we were in great doubt.
Now that We are in possession Of this in
formation. | think that you will agree
with me that from the standpoint of the
sugar cane borer our Louisiana winter
has its advantages.
As We are upon the threshold of an
other grinding season. and at time when
every planter whose cane Is ravaged by
the borer should prepare to wage active
warfare against the insect. il seems the
most opportuue time 20 discuss the known
means 10y which the cane borer survives
the winter. and what may be the most
practical way Of destroying these sources
Of infection
The suckers. or shoots. sprineing from
the stubbles Of early cut cane have not
been suspected of harhoring this roguish
pest. yet. from the observations of last
winter this Is one of the common means
the borer has OF securing winter food
Ina the suckers of cane cut about No
yember 18th many full grown borers were
found late in December and early in Jan
uary.
We have perhaps thought that the frost
cutting these suckers to or below the
ground would destroy an insect life: hut
this is not the case. As soon as the cold
weather Injuries the shoot the horers in il
work down to the part below the ground.
aud as these suckers are often . 10 or
even inches below the surface of the
ground. all danger TO the bOrer from cold
is past when this depth is reached. And
heretofore We have been thrown of our
guard 10y supnosinr that the hOrer. on
reaching the full grown caterpillar stage.
would enter the next stage Of its exist
cnce and In a short time come out as a
moth. only to perish without finding any
suitable plant npon which 10 lay its eggs
Nature IN the ease Of the horer is ultra
elastic. for we find that the full grown
caterpillar can live six weeks in winter
without food. and that growth is 50 much
slower in winter than in summer that as
hong as iive months NAV be spent in trav-
ersing in winter a life-cycle which may
only cousume 80 days in the warmth Of
summer.
In stating that the borer goes below
the surface of the ground. I do not wish
no De- understood as saying that il bur-
rows into the earth. In no instance have
We found horers narrowing into the soil |
In order 10 escape iuclement weather. In |
going below the surface Il follows the |
sucker. and when the stuhhle is shaved
In early spring the moth has easy exit I
from the uncovered sucker out into the I
open air.
just how we can overcome the growth 4
Of suckers rests largely with you as plant 4
crS. The area Of early cut cane is not ex-
tensive and il would cost little 10 have /
the suckers cut oG before frost thus 4
catching the horers IN the green mart Of
this growth and having them perish with /
the sucker. as il has been found that the
horer viii NOT UurpoSeiy leave diving
plant and seek fresh food which may be
ia cloSe proximity.
ANY method which viii prevent this fall I
Suckering 81 stuhblc. such as covering
carefully With cane trash or even cover
inE with dirt. viii of course DESTROY this
Important source Of infection. But il
shonld b. horne IN mind that even one
sucker appearing early IN = Stuhlde held 1
may give food 10 a small hrood ~ horers.
and from this small brood large aneSs
may h. Infected hy the next grinding sea
ssn. II for no other reason than 10 pre-
vent the damage done 70 stuhhle BY the
hcrer destroying the suckers. from which
most 81 the stand comes. all suckers ought
10 he KEEP, down
Cane trash has bong heen looked unon
rs dangerous in wears 81 extensive horer
injury. and while able effort has been
made 10 destroy this trash. Il has iavaris
lhiv failed In one narticular-that Is IL
HAT every vestige Of trash was not h,srn-
"A or hurried One or two scorched cane
onS containing borerS. left upon the
.ronua max he the mesns II injecting
,crs,S the following season. At cane-cnf-
ing time there may b. two broods ~
,orers IN and upon the tons. ono brood
leariy full grown and well dowa IN the
Oh. and another in the egg OF very vorng
0rer stage upen the leaves. or IN the
nd 81 the cane
Tet as remember that e<gs an seposit-
a up0n tops after they have hem severed
rom the canes CSne-tops often lie green
or ten DAYS OF two weeks during clenssr.
Dol weather. and ofer most excellent
BOD for Young horers We have kent /
oyrrs ia tons from November until
Iarth. during which month the ptna or
hrrSaliS Is reached. and late in March. /
2 early n April the moths emerge.
As to the manner 81 Overcoming this ,
lurce of infection. ron. as cane planters !
Z wears II experience arr better able e. !
late than Some wif utilize the cane !
rash % shade the stubble and nreFent {
N suckegine and AZ she same time dry J
he tops sufficiently IS 10 be completely {