The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-04-22
ARMY CUTWORM
IS THREATENING.

Circular of the experiment sta
ton entitled, 1.-THE Army Cutworm,"
gives general information regarding
this pest and outlines the life his
tory and general methods of control.
This circular is still available for
distribution. Since it's publication
we have had particular success with
the poison bran mash.
During the past few days we have
had numerous reports of extensive
damage to fall grain from widely
separated localities in the state,
extending from the Bitter Root VAL
ley east to Billings and north to
Havre. Judging from the expert
ence of recent years we may expect
the activities of the pest to continue
to the middle of May and we fear
that other localities not heard from
yet will report damage.
The indications are that we are
confronted by an almost statewide
outbreak of this cutworm which we
fear may be unprecedented in Sc
verify. Many thousands of acres
have already been eaten off. There
is no way of predicting such out
breaks.
1t is not safe for any grower of
fall grain to assume that because
the cutworms have not been noticed
in his field they are not there. Grain
growers should promptly examine
their fields. II cutworms are found
prompt action is necessary.
From late afternoon until dark is
the best time OF day to examine the
fields. Ground which during the
heat of the day may appear to have
few or no worms, in the cool of the
evening may he swarming with
them. Look for worms from Il
inch to 11a inches in length with
characteristic cutworm appearance.
This is not the army worm of the
east, but cutworm that, when very
abundant, adopts the army habit
move in great numbers in search
of food.
Scattering worms will probably
be found through the fields and may
do damage, but when bare spots be-
gin to appear in fall wheat prompt
action with control measures is
needed.
In case of spring wheat which is
just coming up, very close eXamina-
ton is necessary to determine
whether Or not worms are eating
it as fast as it appears above
ground. If large numbers of worms
are found in spring wheat fields,
crawling about in the late after
noon. prompt action is needed. This
will apply as we'll to reseedcd fields
that have been planted long enough
for the crop to be up.
The first thing to do is to care
fully study the field in the late af-
ternoon and early eavening where
the worms are active. Determine
whore the worms are thic!iest and
in what direction they are going.
They will generally be found in the
edge of the grain that still remains
green where they are advancing
into the grain from the spots which
they have been eating off. The
immediate problem is to stop the
advance.
Coarse bran. ........ so pounds
Paris Green ........ 2 pounds
Molasses ..... ...'..' QUAR-
Salt pound
After thorough mixing the lry
ingredients, gallon of water is adj
ded to the quart of molasses, which
is poured into the bran and the
whole thoroughly mixed; then suf
fcient water is added to the bran to
make it dry, crumbly mash
This prepared mash is applied at the
rate of Is pounds per acre. II
should be sown broadcast where the
cutWorms will get it. 1t often oc
ours that the worms are thickes
around the edges Of the field, or are
moving from one field to another
] Poison bait may be sown in front Of
where they are moving or it may bt
scattered throughout the fields
l where the cutWorms arc generall,
q abundant.
Z We have found that a dcop plowet
furrow used together with The bra1
mash makes the most Cfrnrtivn ono