The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-21
EXPECT AN ABUNDANCE
OF WHITE GRUBS IN 1915

II is we'll for farmers to busy them
selves in time OF peace preparing for
war. a few words OF warning from
the pen or Joseph Davis are worthy
the attention OF all the corn growers
Mr. Davis writes:
The common white grubs or grub
worms. as they arc often called have
for years been recognized IA among
The most serious pests to farm crops.
notably corn and timothy. while
stra Wbcrrics. potatoes and. nursery
planting have al! been frcuucntly
ana seriously affected. Probably the
most serious outbreak OF white grubs
occurred in 1912. following an abund-
-ancc of beetles in lall. In the worst
infested districts il was not unusual to
find from forty to sixty gr,bs in a
single hill OF corn. Indeed, in a corn
field in Iowa. devoted To timothy in
1911 the writer found seventy seven
GruhS in an area two and on.-haif
fee. square aud five inches deep. This
realli represented less than Il single
hill of corn, for the hills in this field
were three and onc-half feet apart.
From personal survey OF tho infested
territory made in 1912 in three states
ms wcll as from reports Of farmers
and others. VIC have q very cDrscrNa-
tive estimate OF the damage to corn,
timothy. and potatoes in these states
~
Available records show that MAY
beetles were numerous in 1914. hence
we may be reasonably certain that in
1915 the grubs will again be dcstruc-
tive and exceedingly abundant. unless
their numbers are materially reduced
by natural enemies, by artificial
means. or by adverse climatic coudi-
tionS.
White =rubs ard May beetles are
prcyod upon by numerous birds,
mammals. AMI insects. all OF which
arc useful in reducing their numbers.
The most important Of these enemies
are the birds. especially crows aud
crow blac<brds. Domestic fowls may
properly lie ciaSs"d as natural enc
mics Of white srubs. All farm poultry
are fond "f these insects. aud where
possible should be given the run OF
infested nclds ut blowing time. rur-
keys arc especially valuable in this
capacity. Amont; the mammals which
feed on the "rubs the skunk is most
valuable, and indeed. soiuc farmers
ottt ibuic the increase in these inSccts
To the decrease in numbers Of sEunks
which are bcin:: hilicd of by trappcrs.
.\n infested field may he cleared OF
9ruDs by pasturinp it with hogs, which
arc fond OF the insects, and will root
TO depth OF u foot or more in search
Of them. Such pasturinS should not
Ice delayed later than the first part of
winter quarters. deep III the ground,
when cool weather comes.
Where II is impracticable to pasture
hogs in an infested field much good
can he accomplished by fall blowing.
The blowing should he done late, but
should not be delayed until the ground
becomes chilly and frosty, for then
;hc Sruhs will have gone down he
yond the reach Of the pillow Ordi
narily tn" best time 10 pillow is be-
tween October and -.
since the beetles usually deposit their
eggs in fields Of grass, timothy and
small grains, the crops planted in these
fields The year following Il season of
beetle abundance should be those which
arc least susceptible to grub injury,
such as buckWheat, clover, alfalfa ANA
peas. care should always he exercise
in the selection of a crop 10 follow
sod or old timothy ground. Where
hogs can he pasiurcd on the land tho
fam or spring Svevious to planting.
the crubs will bc practically eliminated.