The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1910-01-20

q Gil. o, SOutdluS Tue IOllOWluS ny -.
K. McQuarrie.
Keeping Corn From Weevil.
1t is generally recognized that the
loss to the farmers of Florida from
the weevil pest is, in many cases, from
| ten to fifteen per cent. of their whole
crop. And as the value of the corn
crop of the state, according to the
statistics Of the U. 8. department OF
agriculture, is now upwards of six and
half million dollars, we can figure
the annual weevil loss at six hundred
and fifty thousand dollars.
Kind of Cribs Necessary.
We can overcome the weevil ravages
and clear our cribs of this insect by
| the proper and systematic use of car
bon bisulphide. To get good results
we must have tight cribs or granaries.
1t is also advisable to shuck the corn
ears entirely when gathering the crop.
The corn crib, as it is generally found
on the Florida farm, is not good
place for successful fumigation; since
1t is too open, and allows the fumes
| to escape into the atmosphere. But
any of these cribs can be put In good
condition for the purpose by lining
ceiling with matched lumber, and max
ing tightly fitting door. A crib that
will hold 400 bushels OF corn IN
the ear will measure approximately
IL by IL by 6 feet, and seven hun
dred and sixty feet of lumber will line
and cell 1t. With country lumber,
nails, and labor, the cost need not ex-
coed eighteen dollars; as second-grade
lumber can be used for the purpose.
The cost of fixing up an ordinary crib
VIII be returned in one season in the
amount of corn saved.
How to FumIgate.
Where small quantities OF corn are
to be treated, it is advisable to use
alright barrels for the purpose, Fill
ing them with corn, apply a table
spoonful Of the bisulphide in plate,
and close them tightly; subjecting
them to fumigation for day or two.
Then refill the barrels till all the crop
has undergone the treatment. An er-
fective covering for these barrels may
be easily made. The rim Of the bar
rel should be treated with a heavy
coating of thick grease, such as vase
line or axle grease. A sheet of thick
paper is laid on the top, and then COW
cred with sacking to keep the paper
in place. In this way all air is. ex-
cluded, and fumigation will be COM
plete.
The quantity of carbon bisulphide
needed depends somewhat on the kind
of crib or granary in use, but there
will generally be required about six
pounds Of the liquid for tive-hundred
bushel crib. This will cost about thir-
ty-five cents pound, retail. But when
a large quantity is required. it can be
bought wholesale from some Of the
fertilizer manufacturers in Jackson
vile, at considerable lower price.
For holding the ttQufu, shallow ros-
sells should be used; and soup plates
are excellent for the purpose. These
plates should be set on the highest
spots In the crib or barrel, and at dis
tauces Of not more than Ave feet apart
In the crib. One vessel to each bar
rel is enough. The fumes being heav.
Ter than air will penetrate downwards,
SO 1t is only when the vessels are
placed on the highest spots that we
are sure that the results will be per-
feet.
In handling carbon bisulphide care
should be exercised to keep 1t away
from fire, and no smoking should be
allowed in its vicinity, because the
yapor is very explosive and will light
with spark. Carelessness in this re.
spect might result in serious accidents.
Faulty Cultural Methods.
The methods of corn culture and
saving the crop, as generally practiced
by the average farmer in Florida,
tend to make the corn susceptible to
the ravages of this insect.
The practice of fodder-pulling in
vogue tends to stop the full develop
ment Of the grain on the cob, thus
leaving ample space for the weevil to
get possession and lay eggs in abun-
| dance to perpetuate its kind. AS the
| life-cycle Of this insect is only forty
five days, it may have eight or more
broods every year, and we can readily
understand why it is 80 destructive
The fodder-pulling practice also
tends to loosen the shucks on the ears
from exposure to the sun, wind, and
rain, during the time the stalk is left
standing in the field. So that to pre-
vent weevil destruction as far as pos
sible, better farming methods should
be adopted; such as shallow and con-
slant cultivation during the growing
period to promote well-devekped ears,
and cutting and shucking the crop, so
as to insure thorough curing under
the best possible conditions.
Why Young Folks Leave the Farm.
In these days we are beginning to
hear much Of the necessity for our
girls studying home economics and
learning the scientific facts underlying
home making, in order that they may
be able to build and keep better
homes at less cost of money and
effort. Many conditions have con-
spired to make homework distastefui
to Southern women and consequently
in the homes as out on the farms we
have a general tendency to the ex-
tremes of drudgery and idleness. On
many farms the life Of the mother Is
one of almost perpetual drudgery,
without knowledged or mechanical or
other devices to tighten her burdens.
She is without the knowledge of the
things which would enable her to do
her life work with the least labor
necessary to obtain efficiency. Is it
any wonder that our girls prefer to
study music or elocution, Or work in
the business office or the store, when
thew know the life of drIIdgery which