The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-22
Look for Grass Worms

Upon his return from a trip through Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore coun- ties today, pr. F. L. Thomas, associate hntomoiogist of the Alabama experiment station. issued statement in reference to the recent outbreak of grass worms in eorn. Trouble has been reported, accord hs 70 Dr. Thomas, in at least dozen counties, from Dale and Monroe to Col pert and Jackson. Dr. Thomas says:
 The generation of grass worms that nas been devasta ting corn throughout the state during the past week is disappear ng Another outbreak from an overlap ping brood of grass worms may be ex- pected on young bottom land corn in tho week of July F and extending into the week of the 18th Just how widespread and on what crops 1t is going to occur Is not known at this writing, July 10. The very small worms have already been op- served eating the under surface of the leaves of young corn up to a foot high.
 Injury to cultivated crops can be large " prevented If the farmer discovers the Little worms when they first appear, and throughout the state close examinations should be made.
 The grass worm attacks great variety of crops. but it's favorte food plants are corn, crab grass, Bermuda and Johnson grass. These grasses, together with ai- fslfa, clover cowpeas, sorghum, suger cane and even cotton. should be watched closely. The experience of the past week has taught that a delay of twenty-four hours frequently results in the complete destruction of fields of young corn ana alfalfa. At the first appearance of worme or indications of feeding, as shown by whitish patches, which result when young worms feed on the under surface or leaves, apply poison as here recom- mended.
 1. On grasses or grass-like grains other than corn, spray with arsenate of lead. using one pound of the powdered form in fifty gallons of water
 ?. On young corn apply calcium srsen- ate, blowing the dust into the bud by means of hand gun used in poisoning cotton when controlling the boil weevll and the cotton boil worm. Tests in thy last few days show, this method to be very effective on young corn. When ua- ing these guns for dusting corn, the ter minal joint with the fan-shaped nozzle should be removed. If the corn Is too large for blowing the dust into the bud without any. extension on the hand guns. then spray with arsenate of lead, using two pounds of the powder in fifty gallons of water. This will treat one and one half acres of young corn. In an emer, gency the dust may be applied with sack or bag, and the liquid with water ing pots, but less effective than when dust or spray is driven into the bud with -force.
 8 On alfalfa, clover, cowpeas, sorghum and sugar cane, spray with arsenate of lead solution as recommended for corn.
 4 The generation of grass worms that has just disappeared after doing so much damage to corn has gone into the ground of the field where they occurred in order to change to the next stage. which is the pupa. Light cultivation, where this is possible, should be practiced during the next ten days following the disappear ance of the worms. This destroys large percentage of the pupal stages. A gener- ation of this insect lasts about thirty days, but during ten days of this time they are very injurious to crops.
 5. If the worms assume the marching habit, blow a. deep furrow in front Of them, throwing the furrow toward the advancing worms.
 Don't pasture stock within three weeks on grass that has been poisoned. nor how It within this time.