Graham guardian., 1911-02-10
ALFALFA WEEVIL
Pest Must Be Kept Out of
Arizona to Save the
Alfalfa Crops

tomologist A. w. Morrill, sounds a
warning which cannot be given too
much heed. Civic bodies through
out Arizona should take steps at
once looking to the prevention of
the introduction of the pest which.
as the writer points out, will work
incalculable damage. if allowed to
migrate to Arizona.
Action in a matter of this kind
cannot be too prompt and for the
sake of the territory's prosperity
should be begun at once.
The Utah Agricultural Expert
ment station has recently issued an
important bulletin entitled The
Alfalfa Leaf Weevil." In this
country the pest, as far as known,
is at present confined to Utah, hay
ing been introduced from Europe
by some unknown means. The
author of the bulletin referred to
above, states that during the first
year there is scarcely any noticeable
damage. The losses the second
year amount ordinarily to between
one quarter and three quarters of
the crop, The third year brings
about a most serious condition,
many fields failing to grow q crop
of sufficient heighth to cut. The
alfalfa weeyil spreads principally by
flight and are greatly aided by rail-
road trains. Twenty-seven of the
insects were found in the vestibule
of sleeping car in Salt Lake Coun-
ty one day last summer. Feed for
horses, sheep and other stock is es-
pec;ally liable to carry these insects
to unintested locations. 1t may be
seen from the above information
from the Utah bulletin that Arizona
is in great danger of having intro
duced this pest which would cause
an enormous loss to our great agri-
cultural crop The shipment of live
stock and household goods from the
infested district in Utah is most
dangerous as providing means for
introducing the alfalfa weevil. Un-
fortunately the Arizona Horticul-
tural Law is inadequate to afford
any protection against this insect.
Arizona could well afford to expend
whatever amount of money would
be necessary to keep close oversight
over all freight cars coming into
this territory from Utah. At the
point of entrance cars containing
household goods should be examined
for alfalfa hay used in packing ma
terial or otherwise included and all
cars should be thoroughly fumigat-
ed. Live stock should be trans
ferred to fresh cars with Arizona
grown straw ard hay, while the
feed and litter originating in Utah
should be burned and the car fumi-
gated. Fortunately there are no
direct connections between Arizona
and Utah. 1t is probable, however,
that there are numerous settlers
from Utah who come to the agri-
cultural districts of Arizona every
year, bringing with them household
goods. An insect that has made it's
way from Europe to Utah certainly
will find comparatively little difficult
ty in spreading to Arizona if the
most drastic measures are not soon
taken to prevent its introduction.
There is no calamity within the
range of possibilities so likely to
happen as the introduction of the
alfalfa leaf weevil into this terri
tory. 1t is calamity which in Ari-
zona would affect railroads, financial
institutions, business enterprises of
all kinds and individuals, whether
in cities, on the ranches, or in the
most remote mining camps. The
writer is endeavoring to secure the
cooperation of the railroads in an
effort to make the best of the pres
ent situation. 1t is hoped that ar.
rangements may be made for the
railroads to handle freight ship
ments from Utah to points in Ari-
zona by some system that will avoih
much of the present danger.