The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1908-07-10
AFTER THE BUGS.
Professor Gillette offers Some Sug-
ReStiOns of Relief

Professor Gillette offers Some Sug-
gestions of Relief.
The following correspondence be-
tween Prof. c. V. Parker of this place
and Prof. Gillette, of the State Agri-
cultural College, will explain itself:
Fort Collins, Colo, July I, 'OS.
Professor,C c. V. Parker,
Julesburg, Colorado.
Dear Professor Parker:-Your let
ter of July lst makes it quite certain
that the insect doing the damage in
your garden and potato fields, is the
western false chinch bug. This little
bug is about an eighth of an inch long
and is gray or grayish brown in color
and takes wing very readily when
frightened, and it is often spoken of
as fly. While quite distinct from
the true chnch bug it has very similar
habits. The true chinch bug, howev-
er, feeds only upon the grasses, such
as wheat, oa's, barley, corn and the
like, while this insect, SO far as my
observations have gone. seldom at
tacks the grasses, but at the same
time is very general feeder The
beet growers in the Arkansas valley
attempted u raise beet seed, but this
false chincu bug was so abundant
every year upon the seed beets that
they gave up the attempt entirely. |
had letter yesterday from seed
company near Greeley complaining
that this insect was destroying their
seed cabbages. This bug has the
habit of congregating in large droves
and accumuating upon certain plants
often, while plants nearby, the same
kind, are barely infested at all
The question as to what remedy to
use is very difficult one to answer.
We have found that ordinary spray
materials which are used to destroy
other sucking insects are not very ef-
fectual when applied to this bug. If
it is upon certain plants in large num-
bers it may be destroyed by throwing
scalding hot spray upon it, This of
course will kill the plants, too. If
taken early in the morning and be-
fore the insect has warmed up enough
to be active, it can be brushed in very
large numbers into dishes having a
little water in them with spoonful
of coal oil on top. In the Arkansas
Valley, one Of our field men. Mr.. p. X.
Blinn, caught these bugs in the man
ner | have just described quite success
fully. He sent the Station IA photo.
g aph OF pile OF these bugs that he
caught in one hour in tins way by
hand. ! believe the pile was an even
half bushel
A strong kerosene emulsion is the
most successful of the ordinary insect
icides that we have used. 1t should
be made so as to contain about ten per
cent of oil and is best applied early
in the morning while the bugs are still
stupid. Apply with as much force as
possible and then drench the bugs as
they fall upon the ground. This. as
you see, will do very well for small
patch, but it a question whether it
would pay to undertake field treatment
in this way.
The insect is native one and feeds
freely upon wild mustard Apparent
ly the cruciferous plants are favorits
for It's food.
shall be glad to have you keep me
| informed in regard to the further iniul-
ry of this insect. | should be glad
visit the localiry if | could do any
amount OF good by doing So. With
sincere regards to yourself and family,
| am, Very truly, G. p. Gillette.
Prof. Parker furnishes the following
directions for making the kerosene
emulsion:
Soapa...........-.---....--..l pound
herosenc..--.--,.-,-.-.....2g gallons
Water ......-.......-....... 11 gallons
Dissolve this soap in a gallon of
water: then while the Soapy water is
| boiling hot add the kerosene, first
having removed from the stove. and
stir hriskly for few minutes until it
is truthy, creamy mass. If such ii
mixture is not obtained put the whole
on the stove and boil for few minutes,
stirring all the time. Do not let it
boil over fer fear it may take fire.
Use a common garden hand sprinkler
and run the nozzle when sprinkling
through the top of the vines
TO the above mixture, have added
first dissolved it in little hot water.
1000 pairs Mems and Boys
| Overhalls, best makes, at prices
that shameS cOmpetit on. A
| Adamson'S s.