Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-10
wIREwORM CONTROL.

In the eradication of the corn and cot
ton wireworm, one Of the most impor-
tant steps is to leave the soil undsturbed
from the middle of June to the middle OF
August. This, says new publication OF
the department, Farmers Bulletin 1888,
may prove, indeed, to be the most bene-
fetal measure that can be adopted In
addition to handling the ground in such
a way as to make this possible the
author, Edmund II. Gibson, recommends
that manure and cover crops be turned
under in order to add humus to the
light sandy spots and that, IL It must
be grown on infested land, corn he pl1nt-
ed early and everything possible done
to hasten its rapid growth
Throughout the Carolnas. Illinois. Mis-
souri,, Arkansas, and Mississippi and,
very probably. elsewhere in the eastern
half of the United States, the corn and
cotton wireworm is capable of totally de-
stroyine fields of corn. Ordinarily, how
ever, the insect concentrates its attacks
upon spots of loose. sandy soil. and for
this reason the species is sometimes re-
ferred to as the SANDY spot" wireworm.
Under proper conditions the pest can do
enormous damage Cotton and corn are
its principal food, but oats. rye. cow
peas. crag grass. and Johnson grass suf-
fer as well, and sweet potatoes. peanuts
tobacco, watermelons and the roots Of
wild bamboo have been attacked.
The adult beetles deposit their eggs in
the soil about the roots Of corn, cowpeas
and other plants, for the most part. dur
ing the later part OF June and through
July As soon as the young wlreworm, or
larvae. emerge from the eggs they begin
to feed upon the roots Of the plants
around them. With the coming of the
winter the worms descend into the
ground to a depth depending upon the
severity Of the climate. Always, how
ever, they go down sufficiently far to
make fall and winter blowing useless as
a means of eradication. In the spring
the worms return to the top soil AL
together they remain in the ground as
larvae for two years and possibly for
three. They then enter the pupa or
resting stage and in about u days emerge
as adult beetles, and very shortly there
after begin to deposit their eggs.
This. however, the beetles will not do
in soil which is crusted or baked. A field
in this condition they will leave for one
which is covered by dust mulch or
which has recently been plowed This
fact is Of the utmost Importance in CON
trolling the pest and Is the reason why
I infested land should not Ice planted to
any crop which requires cultivation
through the summer.
An advantageous way Of handling such
land is to plant a winter crop--wheat
or rye. for instance-after harvesting the
corn. This may be pastured during the
winter months and turned under during
the spring The humus which is thus
added to the land stiffens the sandy soil
most favorable conditions for the wire
| worms. A catch crop of red clover is al
so excellent. and such combinations as
wheat and clover in certain localities not
only afford two crops a year but per
NIT the soil TO remain undisturbed AT
the time when the beetles are laying
their eggs.
The most effective means of getting rid
Of the pest would undoubtedly he to lot
| the infested fields lie idle for three
years. In this way a crust would he
| formed on the surface. which the major
| ity Of adult wireworms could not pene-
| trate. For obvious reasons, how
| the average farmer does not care to dc
| this and will prefer to adopt the meas
ures already mentioned. In any event
he is warned by the author of the bulletin
not 20 plart corn two years in success
sion on infested land.