The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-12-16

same to me, as secretary of the farmers
association, and l shall use my best
efforts to: have the matter at once taken
up by the State authorities, with the
hope of eradication for this section.
This is important, if we hope to con-
tinue to grow potatoes in this section.
Very truly yours,
G. E. GILMER, Sec'y.
Calhoun, La, Dec. 10, 1915.
Mr.. G. E. Gilmer,
Shreveport, La.
Dear Mr.. Gilmer: I have your letter
of the 10th instant and have also re-
ceived the specimen of sweet potato
which, I regret very much to say, was
infested with the sweet potato weevil,
one OF the most destructive enemies of
this crop. This pest has been present
in the southern part of the State and in
South Texas for number Of years and
has inflicted great damage on the sweet
potato crops of those sections. 1t has
been gradually working its way north
| ward, but this is the first specimen I
have received from any portion of North
Louisiana. In all probability it has
been introduced in the vicinity of
Shreveport by the importation of seed
or eating potatoes from infested locality
to the south of that point.
This pest hibernates during the winter
in the sweet potatoes themselves and in
other places of protection, such as
stumps, moss, leaves, logs, etc., and
energies in the spring and attacks the
growing crop. The adults burrow down
the vine until the tuber is reached and
then eggs. are deposited and genera
ton of weevils soon follow.
The following steps should be taken
by farmers: Hogs should be turned
into all sweet potato fields after the crop
is harvested and allowed to remain there
until all potatoes left in the field are
eaten. Where potatoes are infested
they should be enclosed in tight room
or bin and fumigated for thirty six to
forty-eight hours with carbon bisulphide
(high life) at the rate of five to ten
pounds for each 1000 cubic feet of room
space. Infested potatoes that have not
been fumigated and that are to be fed to
live stock should be boiled before feed
ing. Seed potatoes should not be Sc
cured from infested premises. Sweet
potatoes should never be planted on the
same land two years in succession and
the crop should be planted as far distant
from the last years crop as possible.
A farmer who has infested fields should
secure his planting seed from some 10
cality where this pest does not occur.
Sweet potato tubers should be distribut-
ed in and around last years infested field
in the early spring and collected at in
tervals of week or such matter and
destroyed and fresh potatoes put in their
place, as many adult hibernated weevils
may be destroyed in this manner. Morn
ing glory vines and those belonging to
this class should be destroyed as the
pest will subsist on them.
; This weevil is provided with two fully
developed wings, but has never been OBJ
served in flight. 1t is probable that il
does make short flights, but it evidently
, does not travel very rapidly by flight as
it has been SO many years in gaining
new territory. For this reason every
precaution should be taken to prevent
it's further spread.
= This is another striking illustration Of
the great need of an efficient body o.
4 trained men and stringent laws to pre-.
vent the spread of such injurious pests
With stringent laws properly enforced
, and the farmers advised of the serious
r ness of the situation no doubt this in
4 sect would not have reached NORTH
4 Louisiana. If it becomes generally dis
q seminated throughout the northern por
:. ton of the State it will damage tn
e sweet potato crop thousands OF dollar
each year.
1t would be a good idea for you tt
bring this matter to the attention of tn
members of your association and writ
: an article for the Shreveport paper
a warning the farmers about the serious
e ness OF this pest.
e The tuber which you sent me contain
h some active adult weevils, and if the
had not been destroyed this communit
would no doubt have become infested
simply mention this to show ho'
easily this insect can be introduced int
new localities over very wide territor
- by shipment.
If I can be of further service at an
time call on me. Very truly yours,
- J. B. GARRETT,
- Assistant Director in Charge
and Entornolapist