Arizona republican., 1911-11-28

to its liking and become serious pest
in another section that is climatically
different
1t is universally conceded among
those who are familiar with the history
of the worst insect pests that a differ
ence in climatic conditions is unre-
liable as a natural barrier against such
pests and that the safest method of af-
fording protection is To quarantine alb
solutelv against the importation of
dangerous plants or articles and to
maintain an effective inspection ser
vice where guarantees are impracti-
cable or inadvisable from larger con-
lsiderations. Here. therefore, is the
fmeans by which we may receive the
fullest benefit from our natural adj
vantages of isolation. Several insect
pests. anyone of which is many times
as destructive as anything we now
have established in Arizona, must be
kept out by every means at our COM
mand and in this effort the isolation
which forms the subject Of this article
will give us a decided advantage over
ether states.
A Unique Opportunity for Protection
Against a Most Dreaded Pest.
The farmers of the West have heard
much about the dreaded alfalfa Wee
vii which is causing such devastation
wherever it exists in Utah. 1t is pre-
iicted that il will be but a matter of
q few years before this insect reaches
every part of the United States where
alfalfa is grown. 1t is to be hoped
that the effort now being made to dis
cover and import a parasite will BE-
met with success before the pest
spreads to Nevada. California. Idaho
and other states which to present ap-
pearances are in most danger There
is no certainty how ever in the out
come of these efforts and to save the
disappointment which frequently fol-
lows undue optimism it is well to bear
in mind that there are on record many
more successes than failures in past
efforts TO control insect pests by dis
covering and importing their natural
enemies
Although directly bordering upor
the state of Utah on the north, AriZo-
liza occupies a unique situation as re-
CARDS the danger of the importation
of this king of alfalfa pests and also as
re CARDS the favorable opportunities
presented for delaying its Introduction
to the utmost. at least until means for
its effective control have been discOv
cred. The alfalfa leaf weevil is =
strong flier. but it is safe to consider
that the isolated situation of our agri-
cultural districts with the extensive
natural barriers of hundreds of miles
Of territory that the insects would have
to cross without food will effectively
check the spread of the insect by flight
into Arizona. If it were possible, there
fore to prevent the introduction Of
the pest by means of railroads and by
means of immigrants from the infested
districts who drive overland with their
our protection would be |
practically complete.
There is a possibility OF almost any |
kind of shipments by freight or express |
from infested districts carrying the al |
falfa weevil There are different de- |
grees of danger. however. which re-
uuire consideration. 4 package of
books is less likely to carry the alfalfa |
weevil than is a box of fruit. 1t isl
almost inconceivable in fact that there |
is any appreciate danger in the pack |
age of books. but the box of fruit NAV |
be packed in a fruit packing house To-
Gated on the very edge Of an infested |
alfalfa field and the danger may be
great The box of fruit in turn is OF
slight Importance be-
side bale of alfalfa hay coming from
the edge of the infested district where
the insect has not become sufficiently |
well established to ruin the crop.
1t is reported that the weevils fairly |
swarm in alfalfa hay and in storage
barns and sheds during the winter
months. Hay is frequently used in |
packing household goods. Not many
months ago there arrived at Phoenix
an immigrants freight car which was
entered by the writer for the purpose
IF inspecting plants which ii was said
to contain. In addition to several large |
shrubs growing in tubs this can con-
tanned furniture. farm implements |
about one hundred chickens. a horse
and supply of chicken and horse feed. |
This car did not come from Utah but
il is referred to here to show what a
of possessions an immigrants
shipment may consist of. Live stock
from the infested district must be con-
sdered as very dangerous since the
litter and feed may readily convey the
alfalfa weevil.
Fortunately there are comparatively
few shipments of any class of goods
from Utah to Arizona by either freight
Dr. express. If shipments of househoi1
goods and live stock from Utah were
absolutely prohibited there would be
no inconvenience or loss to immigrants
.i,nt ,,-n,,II i,n North mentioning. be