The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-20
between them.
Came Two Weeks Ago.

worm first became noticeble this
season about two weeks ago. A Sc
we're occurrence was reported from
Anderson county which was immedi-
ately investigated. A visit to fields
about Anderson revealed its presence
in considerable abundance in corn
fields on low bottom lands. The
worms had first attacked the crab
grass and when this was devoured
they began their attack upon the
young corn. The feeding takes place
near the bud, where the blades are
tenderest, and as the leaves unfold
they are badly ragged and shredded.
If the pest is given time it will de-
YOUR the young corn almost to the
ground. Apparently the season that
infestation occurs mainly in bottom
lands, is, viz, that in such fields plant
ing was necessarily late, so that at
the time of the arrival of the cater
pillars such corn was young AID very-
tempting.
AS the stalks become taller ar
tougher the worms desert them il
search of greener food, but by tina;
time the stalk has suffered SO severe
ly that in most cases it will die. No
severe damage has yet been rer orted
in corn shoulder high, while M are
corn seems absolutely immune TO he
pest.
This is the first season that the
"fall army worm" has been known to
be really threatening to field crop.
Naturally, therefore, neither the plan
ter or the entomologist has before
been cup against" the precise situa-
ton which confronts the farmer at
the present time. On the other hand,
the planter needs not be too greatly
alarmed, since he has it entirely with
in his power to control-if not COM
pletely eradicate-this pest upon his
lands. Every mans problem becomes
his own and now is the time to act.
Must Use Poison.
In order to check OR to control the
ravages of the "fall army worm" the
use of arsenical poisons must be re-
sorted to. This poison may be en-
ployed in several forms and applied
in various manners. Arsenate of lead
is preferable, since it does not injure
the foliage and adheres better to the
surface. 1t may be applied either as
dry powder or as a liquid spray.
Paris green is just as effective, but
must be applied with greater care lest
lit burn the leaves. If Paris green is
to be used wet it must be mixed with
an equal amount of lime and diluted
at the rate of one pound of poison to
$50 gallons of water. furthermore,
this solution must constantly be STIR
red and agitated to keep it from set
ting, or otherwise the liquid taken
from the top Of the receptacle will be
too weak and that from the bottom
much too strong.
If possible to obtain it, arsenate Of
lead should be used, since it will re-
quire IS caution in applying, will ad-
here longer and is not injurious to
the plants. In using arsenate Of lead
lit should be mixed at the rate of five
pounds to 100 gallons and may be ap-
piled by means of spray pump, or
| if a pump is not at hand the solution
may be sprinkled on by means of a
flower sprinkler or shaken on by a
whisk-broom.
Probably the easiest and quickest
method of poisoning the "fall army
worm" is the so-called pole method.
This method is used commonly
against the cotton leaf worm," with
perfect success, and will be just as
effective against the present pest. The
following description of the pole-and-
bag method will enable anyone to
treat his field with little trouble and
small expense. A pole is taken long
enough to reach from one crop row
to the next. At each end is fastened
a bag of porous clo-n With bottom
ore fcot wide and holding about one
half Ieck. These are filed either
with dry Paris green, dr.s London pur-
ple or powdered arsenate of lead, and
the apparatus is carried'on horseback,
through the fields, dustiag two rows