Gunnison news-champion., 1917-07-27

prevent Il.
The dread alfalfa weevil has ap-
p.ared in Colorado. This, and the
more lamentable fact that it has
chosen the Paonia district for its most
lg,yelcome introduction to our state
were the startling discoveries made
by J. II. Newton, the entomologist
Who has been conducting iavestiga-
lions here for the state, and confirmed
BY DIR. c. p. Gillette, the State En-
,omologist, on his visit here last Sat
uriay.
The pest was observed to be active
IN = few fields almost Immediately ad-
joining the townsite of Paonia. That
It has been at work there for three
Of four years, and possibly longer, is
the conclusion reached by the investi-
gators when they were informed that
rs effects had been noticed for at
.-a5t that long, though no one sus-
Ea-C,ed its presence. On Monday the
fIrther distressing fact became ap-
parent that it is now by no means
routined to the area mentioned, but
has extended its activities to several
other parts Of the valley.
So deeply concerned was DIR. Gillette
over the situation, he remained in Pa
mia over Monday night to present the
matter 70 the farmers who assembled
N the opera house that evening to
discuss the labor question. His duty
rhliged him to report the discovery
by wire to the federal department of
agriculture at Washington, and the
apartment at once ordered Prof.
George |. Reeves, who has been in
charge Of the fight against the weevil
IN Utah to leave his work at Salt Lake
City and come here.
The alfalfa weevil is an insect of
European origin which was first i'm
ported into this country in a shipment
Of foreign commodities to Utah. Its
first appearance was very close to the
state capital. Despite the most string
ent measures, both within and without
the state. TO eXterminate it, it has
gradually spread in all directions. 1t
is now devastating portions of the
crops of Idaho and Wyoming, and its
presence is general over large part
Of the state of Utah. Each succeed
ing year finds it taking possession of
a wider range.
To preclude it's introduction. laws
have been enacted in several states
absolutely forbidding the importation
from Utah of any commodity which
could carry the insect. Shipments of
grain, hay, vegetables. livestock, and
kindred products were prohibited, and
strict quarantine established. Unless
the most drastic efforts be exerted
here without delay, Colorado may be
quickly confronted with the same un-
pleasant necessity. 1t would be diff
ficult to conceive a greater calamity
than this would infiict.
Down TO the present, no method has
been discovered of eradicating the
pest. The greatest care and labor
have served only to retard its pro-
gress. The plan adopted, as described
by DIR. Gillette is to cut the first crop
early, before the weevil has been able
to devitalize it completely, and i'm
thereafter scrub" the stub
BILE with contrivance in the shape of
a heavy brush comb, which removes
all the leaves remaining on the stubble
and thus destroys the food on which
the weevil would otherwise tide it's
elf over into the second cutting.
The condition is one that calls for
action. Let no one de-
cry this matter as a "scare" of no
If we are not to be de-
barred from our natural markets, if
we are to maintain our high stand
ard Of hay production, we must fol-
low the advice Of DIR. Gillette, Prof.
Raeyes and Mr. Newton ar apy coSf