Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1911-11-26
IT uEany O. t5e rataf 4el, c..


 sr0ans@s a leaf-wolm has dona srsa, lamase during August and Sep1embe- 5f A9ltz This worm has stripped the foliage, leaving the plants bare and naked and unable to mature the small aud medium sized bolis. This pest was not the true army worm, and it was different from tie bell weeyil It Is properly called the cotton leaf worm This worm feeds only on cot ton. The tiny eaterpillars of this species hatch from eggs laid scatter ingly on the under side of the leaves by the parent moth. When they gre full grown, they turn into bfownish l pupae tied up in the leaves In this stage the insect changes into a moth, which is the adult insect All in dividuals have to pass through the first three stages in order to become moths. The adults pair, and the fe males lay an average of 800 eggs, after which they die, and the life cycle from egg to moth is thus end ed. The moths are strong fliers. and are attracted to lights in vast num- bers. Ther winters of Arkansas kill off all stages of this pest. The spec les passes the winter as adult moths in the far South and the later genera tions of the moths migrate northward as the season advances, becoming numerous enough to be a pest in this state early in August. There are seven generations in the extreme South, but probably not over four or five in Arkansas. The eggs, worms and pupae arc all subject to parasitee which destroy great many. There are many inseetivorous birds and ants that aid in the reduction of this pest Those enemies of the insect will probably destroy so many this year that they will not be such a pest next year Such has been the usual history of similar outbreakes of insect pests
 Preventves and Remedies. z
 It is appalling to learn how helpless the cotton farmers have been this year in controlling the pest. In most cases no attempt was made to stop the damage. And yet this pest is eontrolable by these who know how and are prepared to fight it. The only preventive measure that would be of value consist in planting tho cotton far enough apart to allow the sun to reach the ground. When the worms and purae fall on the hot soil, they become benumbed and easily fall prey to their numerous enemies The hest way to destroy them is with powdered arsenase of lead applied the rate of three or more pounds to the acre according to the size of the plants. If this insecticide cannot be bought, Paris green can be used by mixing one part of the same with two parts of flour. The flour makes a good stickcr for the green, but it is not necessary, if arsenate of lead is used. Paris green is more apt to burn the fe aiage, and it does not set tle So well into the crevices of the leaves as the arsenate of lead The arsenical poison should be dusteG on the plants just as soon as the lit tie worms hegin to rag the cotton This injury is first noticed in the tops of the plants, and only in spots in the fields. These places should te tor ouehly and forcefully dusted at once. At such time it is not necessary to dust the whole field, unless the worms happen to he scattering over it.
 There is some difference of opinion as to the best tools to do the dustine with. The farmers commonly use tive sacks hung on the ends of a pole car ried by man on mule. This dusts two rows at time, and one mar can thus treat about 15 acres a day This method undoubtedly does some good. and is better than no method but modern dusting apparatus are now on the market with which the worl can he done more thoroughly am faster. A convenient hand duster i: sold, called the Champion dust gun. There are horse power dusters witl as many as six outlets for the dust which cost S60 to S75. It is stated s that one man with good team car l dust 50 acres with one of these in {
 day. The Champion dust gun hal given excellent satisfaction in treat
 ing cotton for the boil weevil in th' ]. far South. The horse power outfit
 could be made very practical for us'
 on large scale. All growers wh'
 have had trouble this year should bu
 Champion dust gun at least, if the
 do nothing more extensively. and b
 ready to dust the tops of the plant
 when next year the worms begin t
 rag them The gun would be nor
 useful for this part of the work tba
 the sacks could possibly be. Tn
 grower should remember that u.
 arsenical insecticides are poisonou
 >-~--~~--~~--~---~>~- Grinding the grain makes it mor