The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-06-14
TRYING TO CONQUER
the COOLING MOTH
What the Department of Biology,
Washington State College. Is
Finding Out.

Pullman, June 12.-The depart
ment of Biology is making rapid and
satisfactory progress in it's work on
the codling moth. To most people
it is known that this moth Is the
greatest pest apple raisers have to
contend with. 1t is estimated that
over 100000 was lost in the fruit
growers of the Inland Empire last
year because of the ravages of this
insect. 1t was introduced into the
Walla Walla valley about twenty-five
years ago from Oregon and is now
found all over the state and is
spreading rapidly. In most of the.
warmer river valleys the apple crop
was an entire failure.
The moth is a small, insignificant
looking affair. Two broods year
are produced. The worm of the
first brood matches from a tiny egg
laid by the moth on or near the
young apple about two weeks after
the trees have blossomed. 1t imme-
diately enters the flower end of the
apple, where it lives and grows for
from two to four weeks.
Becoming full grown, it descends
to the ground, spins silken cocoon
about itself and ''pupates." In a
little over two weeks it is trans
formed into moth, which rays eggs
on the apple and the life history is
repeated. The work of the depart
ment of biology is the most eIabor-
ate and best conducted line of ex-
periments yet undertaken with the
moth. 1t was begun three years
ago, under the direction of Prof.
Piper Since then work has pro-
crossed steadily and continuously.
Two members of the department. Mr.
tldred JENNIE, a senior and Mr..
Ernest MacKay, a sophomore, are
now in the Yakima valley carrying
on the work there. under the direc-
ton of Professor Melander
Two great problems confront the
scientists: bowto destroy the moth,
scientists how to destroy the moth,
and how to do it in the most eff
fective and economical way. In
order to obtain the desired results,
the life history of the moth must be
carefully studied over several years.
A vast amount of data has been col
lected and carefully arranged.
Jenne traced the life history of the
insect in the summer of 1903. 1t is
necessary to understand the time of
the changes in the insect in each par
ticular region in order to determine
the proper time for spraying. 1t has
been found that an early or late
spring makes difference of two
weeks or month in the life events
of the insect. difference of a
fourth of a degree of latitude causes
days difference in time. A hun
dred feet in altitude has the same
effect. The life history in every To-
cality, therefore, must be studied.
No date of the calendar can be set
as a fit time for spraying on account
of seasonal variations, latitude and
altitude. The scientists are over
coming this difficulty by noting the
stages of various flowers and fruits
at important times in the insects
history. When the work is COM
pleted, information will be given, not
to spray at such and such date. but
to spray when a certain plant is in
bloom or in fruit.
Already much has been accom-
plisned in determining the values of
different kinds of spray poisons
The value also of dust and liquid
sprays are the subjects of expert
ment. Thirty-five methods of spray
ing are being tried. 1t has been
found that under normal conditions
five sprayings season are as eff
Gent as any greater number. The
work done is already of immense
value to fruit raisers; but it is only
the beginning, and when it is COM
pleted thousands of dollars will be
saved to the fruit growers annually.
The department has recently pub
lished bulletin on 1.-THE Wormy
Apple that is very interesting and
of great worth. Cribs bulletin will
be sent free by applying to the presi-
dent of the college.)
1t Is the wish of the department
to extend the work over the state.
All that is necessary is the co-opera-
ton of the fruit growers in the vari-
Gus regions. No other scientific
work In similar nature has been
undertaken in this region that prom
ises such great economic results to
the public.