The Llano colonist. [volume] (Llano, Calif.) 191?-1937, 1922-11-11
DOES HIALNUTRITION OF
PLANTS CAUSE INSECT PESTS? ?

IL the early days Of California. in
sect pests were practically unknown.
Now, they are, unfortunately. all too
common everywhere throughout the
United States. II would Be profitable
for the nation in general If It could
be ascertained to what an extent the
spread Of such pests is due to impoYer-
ishment Of the soil. May it not Be
quite likely that, just as human beings,
when run down BY lack Of certain es-
sential food elements. become diseased,
in similar way vegetables, cereals,
pulses, and fruit trees become like
wise affected, when the soil is lacking
in the essential nourishment that the
respective plants require for healthy
growthp
A speaker at the Llano Agricultur-
al class on Friday night expressed The
opinion that the lack Of stamina in the
people in certain sections Of the South
is due to lime deficiency in the soil,
and voiced the belief that dressing
of lime and green manuring would
improve both the harvest yield and the
health Of the people.
Malnutrition in plants will result IN
malnutrition Of the people who eat the
plants, their imperfect seeds. and their
fruits. At the time Of the Boor war.
England was shocked 10 learn that
three out Of every five men who ap-
|plied for service were physically un-
fit The commission appointed to In
lquire into the cause, returned the re-
Iport that an insufficient and unbaI-
Ianced diet from youth up was chiefly
responsible. Here in America, at the
thine of It's entrance into the world war
practically the same condition was dis
covered. One Of the most serious re-
(sults Of malnutrition is shown in in-
! 1creased susceptibility and lack Of re-
sistance to disease. This is a very I'M
portant feature in agriculture 10 be
considered, and deserves careful study
careful investigation and experiment
tation.
Comrade Coleman spoke Of his sue
Icess in Mexico in covering the cane
stubble with soil and thus smothering
the cane borers. The burning Of
brush was unsuccessful in destroying
Them.
Comrade Coleman's plan applied to
the cane field last fall has proven it.
self quite effective in reducing the
borer menace at NewIlano. Comrade
Cryer was requested to see to it that
the insect pests are promptly attack
ed in the early spring with every wea-
pom known, but il was the sense Of the
meeting that an early erection Of a bat
roost in the Colony would be the most
defective method Of dealing with both
insects and mosquitoes.
A large number Of native persim-
mon trees have been discovered IN the
woods close by. and the intention is
to set them out in the orchard and
graft them with the Japanese variety.
| The Colony agricultural class is busy
these days in trying to keep up TO date
on small fruits. grapes. berries, and
farm crops; clubs have been started
ifor the growing Of grapes. peaches,
mulberries, figs, blueberries, strawber-
RES. and blackberries. The work of
these clubs is done voluntarily out
Iside Of regular Colony work hours on
their own time, without any loss fo
1.-THE Colony Of regular service or ex-
lpenses.
If any one has plants or trees mem
Itioned, that they think will grow IN
this section Of country. and feel dis
posed to contribute. il will Be very
much appreciated BY the class. All
clubs are to make reports Of their al
tivities at the next regular meeting
of the class.