The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-07
THF. "ARMY WORM"
Present Status Of the "Griass Worm)S
or "F1ll Army Worm.
Article LXXXIV.

connection with the damage of the
pest. and its control. Any further in
formation desired will be cheerfully
supplied upon request to the Division
OF Entomology. Clemson College, :. G.
1t is we'll to impress the fact that
the insect about which there is so
much excitement is not the same as
the cotton leaf worm or caterpillar
which was present in the cotton fields
last fall. There are at present so far
as speciments sent in and investiga-
tions made by this division show. no
cotton caterpillars in this State,
though they are doing damage in
lower Alabama and Georgia The cot
ton caterpillar is injurious only to
cotton; the grass worm, does damage
more general in characterize grass,
corn. peas. cotton. etc. This latter
insect is doing considerable damage
over almost the entire South; so this
State is not alone sustaining the ef-
fects of its ravages.
The preferred food of the fall army
or grass worm Is grass, such as crab
grass, bermuda. water grass. etc. The
pest Is present every year. but un-
| noticed. The wealth of grass due
to lack of proper culture last fall and
spring has given it this year unex-
celled opportunities for breeding. The
almost total absence of its natural
enemies also promotes the marked
increase In numbers this season over
previous seasons of recent years. They
have reached such enormity Of num-
bers that there has been a shortage
OF the preferred food and the pest
has been forced to migrate to the ad-
Joining corn and cotton fields to
make its living there and to carry IN
its destructive damage in so doing.
The worm begins its work in bottom
lands. and at first appears i'm the
grass. Here 1T can be most easily
| controlled. by deep turning Of the
grass and worm. or thorough spraying
or busting Of these acres with arse
nate of lead according to directions
given below.
The third generation of worms is
now entering the ground to change
into moths. These deposit eggs.
which Matching in a very short time,
will produce another generation of
worms. 1t is well to bear this fact in
mind; for the apparent cessation Of
injury Is due to this cause.
On the first appearance of the
worm the farmer should dust the n
tested areas with powdered arsenate
OF lead. undiluted. using three pounds
or poison to the acre. 1t Is best to
make the application when the leaves
are moist with dew. as is generally
the case early in the morning. Ase-
nate of lead paste may be used i'm
the form of a spray the strength Of
two to three pounds of arsenate t.
fifty gallons of water, with the ad-
dition OF three pounds of unslaked
lime. Paris green also will poison the
worms hut it is not safe to use since
even if extreme care Is exercised i'm
the dilution and application OF it, Sc
rious damage of foliage from burning
often results. sometimes not becorning
apparent until three or four weeks
afterwards. Powdered arsenate Of
fead Is about as cheap. sticks to the
lear better and can be used undiluted
without burning the foliage. 1t would
he no mistake. even in the case of
this however. To add small quantity
| Of air dry, slaked lime. to neutralize
any free acid present i'm the substance.
| since IL is this acid that does
the burning.
Where Poison Can bc Secured.
The powdered arsenate Of lead can
he secured from your nearest local
druggist. If he does not have it in
STOCK. ne can secure il Immediately
10y communicating with his nearest
Wholesale druggist supply house or you
can get IL direct from the same places
III VIII cost somewhere about 20 cents
"a pound: making the cost per acre
about ~ cents
Method Of Applying the Poison.
The following directions for appli-
cation are taken from Circular no.
Ia" hurcau OF Entomology. and eN-
pam clearly and in detail the appli-
cation of the posion. and cautions t.
he taken:
The method of application by means
"f sacks applied To Il pole carried an
horseback through the fields which
came into general use some wears a,.,