Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-04-30
WALHALLA, q. G.
insecticides for Potatoes.


from the larvae of the Colorado
beetle deals with matter of such
magnitude as to be almost beyond
computation. When it is considered
that single hill of potatoes could
not be grown in any part of our
broad country without protection in
some way from the presence of this
beetle, the question of the best
method of accomplishing the object
sought becomes as important as the
planting of the crop. Without both
there can be no harvest.
We dropped into the use of the
arsenical poisons and Paris green as
the most readily available form for
use, for the reason that it was placed
before us for the purpose, and ex-
perience proved that it would do the
work effectively. We have depended
upon it all these years with scarcely
thought whether anything better
was possible or anything different
called for. Paris green killed the
larvae and that was all that was
cared for.
Other preparations have been
offered as substitutes, and with them
came the claim on the part of some
that they acted as fertilizer and
gave better crops than where the
green was used. Several cores
pondents have clearly shown from
their experience that Bug Death
proves to be better article for use
than Paris green. 1t kills the larvae
promptly and effectively while at
the same time the yield of potatoes
is larger than after Paris green.
This has proved to be the case in
numerous trials, and 80 far as we
know there have been no trials
brought forward to prove the con-
trary. Scientific examiners, not find
ing any known poisons in the article,
have left us to infer that it will not
kill the pest. The belief is now held
by many growers men who are close
observers, that Paris green has the
effect to start rust on the vines to
which it is applied. 1t has long
been known that 1t "scorched" the
leaves whenever the application
proved too strong. So long as it is
known that the green does not dis
solve in the water with which it is
mixed it is not unreasonable to con-
clude that lesser mixture than that
which "scorches" may have mea-
sure of damaging effect, though at
the time such effect may not be
noticeable. There are farmers who
claim to have discovered, under
glass, damaging effect from the
presence of even light application
of the green on the tender leaves of
the growing vines. The theory fol-
lows that the rust thus started con-
t'nues to extend and thus causes an
earlier death to the potato tops than
where no green has been applied.
Certainly it is not unreasonable to
question whether arsenic may not
poison a tender growing leaf. This
matter is of sufficient Importance to
call for investigation, and might we'll
claim the attention of the expert
ment stations. 1t is surely not
subject to be dropped without care
full experimentation.
Of course the claim that this or
that acts as fertilizer on the grow
ing crop to which it is applied is
something requiring more proof be-
fore it will generally be admitted.
If 1T be a fact, however, that Paris
green causes or hastens rust, blight,
and decay while Bug Death has no
effect of the kind, but leaves the
vines to go on with the full and
natural growth of the tubers, the
increased yield in the latter case
would be accounted for. 1t is fact,
noted in our observation and found
in our experience, that fields of pota-
toes treated with Bug Death gene
rally have held green and growing
longer than where Paris green has
been applied.
Prof Woods told the Massachu-
setts farmers the other day that "no
adequate substitute for the arsenical
poisons had yet been found" 1t
seems to us that in view of the ex-
periments and experience given in
The Farmer of so many intelligent
farmers last season that such a claim
is too sweeping unless the proof is
abundant, and if so, surely it should
be presented. If observing farmers
claim to have discovered a damaging
effect from the use of the poison green
it Is a matter calling for investiga-
ton.
The season of 1902 is not far away
and now is the time to gather in the
facts. What the potato growers
want to know is whether the arsen-
ical preparation can in any way in
jure the growing plant, hasten its
death and retard the perfection of
the tuber. The chemical analyses
lately given in our columns empha-
sized the necessity for so treating as
to allow the plant to develop the
largest possible amount of starch.
Whatever conserves this one end
is demanded whatever retards is
sure to cause heavy loss TO the
grower and the final destruction of
the potato. Our experiment stations
and careful observing farmers can do
no better service than to determine
this one question, for it means mil
lions to the farmers of Maine
Maine Farmer.
A remarkable case of man, still
living, with bullet in his heart, was
brought out in the 31st Congress of
the German CbiTurpical Association