The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31
METHODS OF DESTROYING
THE COTTON CATERPILLAR

the result of many inquiries as
y to the methods of getting rid oil
"A inc cotton caterpillar. which mas
been doing so much damage to the plant
particularly in the southwestern part OF
the state, Commissioner of Agriculture O.
g. Stevens has had prepared a letter
which he is sending out to ali who write
FOR information on this line.
The letter says in part:
THE larvae, or caterpillars, have bit
ing mouth parts and hence can be Killed
onIy by poisoning the cotton foliage with
some substance, which, when eaten VIII
kin the caterpillars.
Two substances are largely useu LOT
this purpose. arsenate OF lead and paris
green.
.'Spraying-W Where the cotton is not too
large, and knapsack sprayer is avail
able the cotton may be sprayed Win
either Of the following mixtures:
Il Arsenate OF LEAD, pounds; water.
so gallons. The arsenate of lead should
be first thoroughly mixed with a small
amount of water and this solution then
added to the barrel (oG gallons) of water
and thoroughly mixed. 1t should be kept
thoroughly stirred and aeitated while IN
use. as the arsenate will settle to the
bottom if allowed to stand for any con-
siderable length of time.
a. Paris green, three-quarters of
pound; lime, / IL pounds water. 90. gal
Ions. This mixture, like the above,
should be kept thoroughly stirred and
when placed in the knapsack sprayer
should be strained through a fine wire
gauze strainer or a loose-mesh cloth, in
order to prevent particles of the lime
getting into the nozzle and clogging 1t
up.
1.-The use of large barrel pumps, mount
ed upon a wagon or cart is not prac-
ticable in cotton fields at this season
of the year, as considerable cotton Will
be destroyed by the wheels and mules.
With the use of the knapsack pump upon
small sized cotton, each hand can spray
from 4 TO acres per day.
"Dusting-1he most rapid method of
distributing poison as well as the cheap
est, is that of busting the plants with
paris green. For this purpose construct
a busting machine as follows: From
1-inch board cut out piece 1-2 feet
long by 3 inches wide, and bore an inch
end. Now make two sacks of unbleached
cotton sheeting, each sack alSDut inches
wide by 10 inches long. closed at the ends
and open along one side. We have found
unstarched sheetpg, running about 4
yards to the pound, to be the best for
this purpose. Tack the open edges of
the sack to the end and sides of the
board above mentioned in such a way
that each sack is suspended below one
of the auger holes This gives us a
board with a sack attached to each end
with convenient holes for filing the
sacks. and which can be readily car
ried in one hand.
Make mixture of one part paris
green and four parts of air-saked lime.
being careful to see that the mixture
is perfect and entirely dry. The board
when in use should be carried diagonally
across the row, in such a manner that
both sides of the row will be we'll busted.
The operator walks along the row, shak-
ing the board vigorously enough to scat
ter the dust freely upon both sides of
the plant, as well as upon the growing
tips. Where the rows are not too far
apart, buster of this kind can be car
ried in each hand and two rows thus
busted at once"