The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-12
Heflin and HObson Rush APP
preparation Bill Through
the House
EXPECT MORE WORMS
TO APPEAR IN SOUTH
Dry Applications Are Recommended
by Department of Agriculture
to Be Used in Fight Against
the Worms
Nv c. e. STEWART

Washington. August Il. Especial 1.-The
department of agriculture IS using all
the means in its power 70 meet the emer-
gencg caused by the very great destrue-
tion OF crops in the south by the fall army
worm.
This insect is present in unprecedented
numbers from Louisiana and Arkansas
eastward to the Atlantic ocean. and is
present in certain sections OF Alabama in
larger proportions ana much earlier than
ever before It is destroying corn, cot
ton, sugar cane rice and other crops to
such an extent as to cause great anxiety
ON the part of planters and others. BY
means of an emergency appropriation by
Congress, rushed through The House by
Representatives Hefin and Hobson, and
through the Senate by Senator Smith,
it is possible for the department to rem
der quick assistance
Plans for this work in cooperation with
the states concerned are being rapidly
perfected. The insect win undoubtedly
continue its rayages for some time I'M
less checked. In all probability another
brood will appear after the present ones
transforms in the ground. For this rea-
son immediate action toward destroy
ing the worms is stronsly advised.
Use of Arsenicals
The department recommends the use OF
arsenicals. Among these are arsenate OF
lead, Paris green and London purple. In
most cases it will be best 10 apply these
roisons in dry forms instead of with
water. Dry applications, says the de-
rartment, can be made by sitting the pofs-
ia nlantS through light cloth
sacks or by means of blowers or busting
machines. Liquid applications must be
made with spraying apparatus to be er-
fective. For this reason the dry appli-
cations meet the present emergency bet
ter than the liquid ores.
Arsenate of lead in powdered form is
recommended above all other arsenicals
because 1t will not inlure the foliage of
any Of the field crops grown In the south
1t may be applied without the addition of
any carriers. Paris green Is next in eff
fectiveness, but should be mixed with
its weight of air-slaked lime or flour TO
prevent burning of the foliage, which is
likely tc occur II applied undiluted. Lon
don purple may be applied with air-slaked
lime or flour, as recommended in the
case of Paris green. Whenever 1t is FEAST
hle to liquid sprays, arsenate of lead is
powdered form should be used at the rate
of three pounds TO the barrel of water.
Paris green at the rate of about IL ounces
rei- barrel. IT is best in case Paris green is
used in this way to a Id two pounds of
freshly slaked lime to prevent burning.
Method of Application
Whether dry of liquid applications are
used 1t is extremely important that the
applications be made with thoroughness.
in the case of corn, some of the poison
should be placed In the heart OF the plant,
~ Il. lie. do, A
small amount is ali that is required to
kill the insects. In case of cotton, pow
dered arsenate of lead should be applied
at the rate of about five pounds to the
acre. The usual meth of utilizing cloth
sacks carried through the field on horse
back is perfectly adapted to this crop.
For fields threatened with invasion but
not actually attacked, deep furrow
should be plowed out around the entire
circumference of the field; into this the
caterpillars will fall, when they may be
crushed by dragging heavy log through
the furrow. If the soil is such as to be
somewhat impervious to water, this fur
row may be partly filled with water, on
the surface of which a small quantity of
kerosene may be poured, which will kill
the worms almost Immediately when they
come into contact with It.
Since the worm seem invariably to con-
sumo the grass and other vegetable grow
ing in fields before attacking either corn
or cotton, IL should prove an important
method of protection to spray or dust
grass and weeds in ccrnfields threatened
with attack with arsenate of lead accord
ing to the methods advised above.
Throughout the greater part of the
south there Is likely to be another de-
structiye brood of the army worn which
will come from the transformation of the
present generation in the soil. Therefore
every effort should be made to break
up the pupal cells, that the next brood
will not appear This can be accom-
plished by the use of plows. oultivators
and harrows. Wherever any crop which
can be TILED has been injured by the
fall army worm II is advised that fur
tier injury be prevented by the use of
oultivators and harrows. Much good can
also he accomplished by blowing fields
or portions of fields where all of the crop
has been destroyed. The treatment of
bare places about cultivated fields In
this way win be of assistance.
To summarize the situation. the depart
ment recommends the speedy application
of apenical poisons and The working OF
the ground wherever practicable In or
der to prevent further damage.
Great care should he taken that cattle
and other stock are kept from Dasturing
In the fields where grass or other crops
have been poisoned with arsenicals; also
that poisoned plants are not fed to stock
Small Child Dies
A rfrrtrCt tAI TIL