Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-07-30
GOVERNMENT WARMING
AGAINST POTATO MOTH
Working Injury in Some
Parts of Country

jury to potato crops in various parts
of the country, especially in California
and Texas, that the Bureau of Ento-
mology of the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture has issued Il
special warning and instruction to
potato growers to help them overcome
this highly injurious pest. According
to the specialists this moth is being
rapidly spread over the country in
shipments of infested potatoes and By
careless methods of using and distrio-
uting seed potatoes. The warning is
issued at this time in order to enable
farmers to take special action with the
seed they will use for the fall crop.
The Department particularly urges
potato growers to sort the potatoes
for seed two weeks after digging and
then to sort them over two weeks lat
er. The tubers unaffected by the
tuber moth should then be placed in a
moth-proof bin. 1t is easy to pick Cut
the infected tubers because of the
excrement of the moth, which adheres
by means of a web to the outside Of
the potatoes and can be easily detect
ed.
The tubers placed in the moth proof
bin, after the final sorting, should thea
be fumigated by means of carbon Gi-
sulphid, Cor bisulphid of carbon as it
is also known, in order to kill any
moths which might have bred out or
have slipped in through crevices, and
when the bin was opened. Carbon
bisulphid is applied by pouring sma, |
quantities into fiat vessels such as
milk pans or pie tins. An average of
3 pounds should be used in 1000 cubic
feet Of space. 1t is more effective at
high temperature 50 to 80 degrees
Fair. being best. About a pint
is poured into each receptacle and the
pans are placed in the bins at the top.
The gas being heavier than air natur-
ally penetrates the mass of potatoes,
reaching those at the bottom. The bin
should be tightly closed for from "a 10
Sc hours with good assurance that the
terminating power of the seed is not
destroyed. The utmost care should be
taken that no fire, such as that from a
cigar, electric fan, stove, or even a
gas light or lamp should be brought
into the vicinity. Otherwise, as the
gas is very infamable fire may re-
suit or a serious explosion may fol-
low.
All potato growers should keep q
careful lookout" after fumigation. At
first the fumigated seed potato SHOULD
be inspected daily to detect any
growth of the insect; later, observs-
ton every other day and finally once
week should be sufficient. II there is
any indication that the tuber moth is
propagating, a second fumigation with
carbon bisulphid should be given
This method of saving seed potatoes
is so simple, although very effective.
that the specialists fear that many po
tato growers will disregard it.
In order to grow potatoes, the Gov
eminent points out that it is neces-
sary for farmers to work overtime on
a cleaning up campaign, which should
begin at once on receipt of this spec
ial notice. Small and useless tubers
and tops sould be promptly cleaned up
and burned. The land should be har-
rowed to break up the clods and leave
as few hiding places as possible for
the moths For the same reason ali
weeds and all plants of the potato
kind, such as nightsheds, ground cher
ries and similar weeds should be
destroyed over large areas surround
ing the potato field. The Department
urges growers of potatoes to cooper
ate in this general work and thus les
sen Importantly the numbers of the
moths and reduce their chances for