South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-01
81. Joseph F arm ers Fear
Heavy Loss From Invasion
Of VOraciOus Pests.

Unless frost comes 20 the early
rescue. farmers OF St. joseph coun-
~ along with others OF surround
Ing sections Will sustain heavy finan-
ctai losses from the ravages Of the
corn ear worm which IL attacking
corn. alfalfa. rye. potatoes and other
growing crops The pest has made
deep inrOads particularly into corn
and alfalfa during the last 10 days.
and in some cases fields Of the lat
ter crop have been practically dew
astated
Z. c. Bird. county farm agent.
has concluded an extensive survey
OF conditions throughout the cOun-
try. He found that the complaint
wac widespread as 10 corn. but be-
lieves that the voracious appetites
or the insects Will be checked by
proper means or control with the
aid OF frost. The worm. he ex-
planned is one Of the cosmopolitan
pests and attacks various varieties OF
plaIt life other than corn. II has
nc accepted or defined name and is
known as the fruit tomato. cotton
boil and other bug aliases. However.
!. - most destructive in It's attack
upon corn after Il has begun to de-
velope. he said.
Concerning control. Bird suggested
that all land should be fall or win
tel plowed. which should be done
deep and followed by narrowing.
This will beak up the pupal cells,
killing many OF the pupae and ex-
posing others TO winter weather.
Field corn should be planted early
as possible 10 prevent moths de-
posting eggs upon #. The first gen
Grafton OF caterpi,lars may be eradi-
Gated. Il was said. oy busting into the
tops OF plants powdered arsenate Of
lead. mixed with four or corn meal.
How To- Fight Pest.
Another effective means TO rid
fields Of the pests Is to pasture hogs
upon land that t. supposed to har-
Dor the worms These animals root
up and devour insects Of many kinds
ard in large numbers. Farm poul-
try. IL trained to follow the plow.
will also prove OF inestimable value.
When the worms are found 10 be
abundant or corn land the use OF
this formula OF poisoned bait is
recommended: Mix so pounds of
wheat. bran. two pounds OF Paris
green and crude arsenic, such as
the by-product from copper smelt-
ers. and six decayed. finely chopped
lemons or oranges. Bring the whole
mixture 10 the consistency OF stiff
dough by the addition of lOw-grade
molasses. Distribute this bait over
the infested field in small Jumps. TAX
around each hill. In the event bran
cannot be obtained. middlings OF al
falfa may be successfully employed.
Distribution OF the bait should be
started as soon as the corn begins
10 appear above the ground. so that
the worms may be eliminated as
quickly as possible and the injured
hills promptly replanted.
II was emphasized by Bird that
frequently the insects migrate 10
cultivated fields from adjoining
grasslands. and in such cases crops
can be protected by running a mar
row band OF the poisoned bait
around the edge of the field or along
the side nearest TO source of infes-
tation As an immediate precaution,
81 was suggested that in cases where
corn has not been cut IL is safer TO
permit il 10 stand. If shocked more
or less heat is provided the pests,
while II allower 10 remain the
chances of colder weather greatly
favor quick determination. The
presence Of such vast numbers Of the
menace is attributable 20 the mild
winter OF this year which aided the
development Of the larva i'm plant
lite left in the ground.
A specimen OF a butterfly found
in an alfalfa field which is believed