The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-06


 now being entered. The production of table beans in Alabama will be greatly curtailed. if not lost entirely, if some means is not found to destroy the pest. Referring to the spread of the beetle, the report of pr. w. E. Kinds, state entomologist, and F. L. Thomas, asso- ciate entomologist, to Dr. Duggar, which was included in the report. said:
 INQUIRY STARTS
 "Our first information as to the oc> currence of this insect in Alabama was the receipt of specimens sent in from the vicinity of Blocton and Birming- ham about July 1. 1920. Report of the occurrence was made immediately to the United States bureau of entomolo gy, and as soon as possible an investi- gation was started to determine the extent of the infestation. The bes. evidence that could be gathered indi- cated that the species was brought into the Birmingham district probably through carload shipments of alfalfa hay coming from Colorado, Arizona or New Mexico in 1918. only two parties have been found who had noticed the new pest on beanA during the season of 1918. In several cases, however, the insect was noticed in Blob and Jeffer- son counties during the summer of 1919, but was not reported to this de- partment, as the seriousness of the matter seems not to have been appre~ ciated.
 This dangerous pest has been known to be exceptionally free from natural enemies and very difficult to control by insecticidal measures in the west ern habitat. There it is reported as occurring at attitudes up to 1000 feet, and surviving winter minimum tenn per atures of about 30 to 35 degrees be- low zero The occurrence of this spe- cies in this section threatens the con tinued profitable production of all kinds ofstable beans, COW peas and soy beans. The study of control measured was undertaken in August, 1920, ana will henceforth become our principal line of local experiment work" BIG AREA AFFECTED The grass worm also did much dam age to corn in Alabama during the last season, according to the same report. l was first noticed at Tuscaloosa, and reported from Bibb county in early June. This was the first generation and did little damage, although concern was felt regarding succeeding genera tons. The first part of July, the sec ond generation appeared in far greater force than was expected, and did trt mendous amount of damage espe- cially-t to young corn. A large amount of arsenate of lead and calcium arse nate was used in dusting and spraying at this time as result of the publicity given.
 Thirty counties were infested by this generation of worms. Practically the entire injury from the first and second broods occurred on land that had been overflowed and under water for some time during the flooded con ditions of December, 1919, ande early spring of 1920. The third generation appeared when expected, and the re- mainder of the counties in the state became infested. This brood. on tn. whole, was not as injurious as the sec- ond; corn was larger, and the worms attacked grasses for the most part. The western sections of Alabama suf- fered most from this generation, as the pasture lands in the black belt
 
 parasitic enemies rapidly increased, so that the fourth generation was unim- portant, although it appeared"
 DRAINAGE REPORT
 The bureau of drainage reported that little definite work could be done during the year in forming drainage districts and starting drainage work In cooperation with the United States government, because of the high prices or materials and labor. but that some steps had been taken which would lead to something more definite.
 The high cost of materials and Ia- bor caused the several districts to de- fer work until more favorable condf- tions,' said the report. Two pro, posed districts were inspected and pre- iiminary reports prepared outlining the procedure to be followed in or ganizing drainage districts and giving an estimate of the proposed work. These districts were the Okmulgee creek district in Dallas, Perry and Chllton counties, with an area of from lo,00O to 12,000 acres of creek bottom lana along Big and Little Okmulgee creeks, and the Walnut creek swamp or from GOO to 700 acres surrounding the town of Clanton, Chiffon county.
 "A revision of the drainage plans and cost estimate for the Fowl river and Mobile-Bay View Grocers' associa- tion/ drainage district was also made. Inls district IS located short distance south of Mobile and contains $500 acres. It is understood that the peti- ton for the formation of this district IS now ready to be presented to the probate court of Mobile county.
 The Fayette and Lamar counties drainage district has raised money to continue the canal location, and the work will be completed this spring. Over 22,000 acres are involved in the plans of reclamation on this district.