Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1922-07-26
FARM NOTES

Several inquiries have been made
about small worm that apparently
enters the stem of the potato, tomato,
etc. causing a portion of the plant to
wilt.
Prof. r. E. Vaughan of the Plant
Pathology department of the College
OF Agriculture calls this insect the
stock borer and says there is no
method of control yet available, but
that the damage done by this worm
is rather negligible, and therefore no
cause for alarm should be taken. The
moth that lays the egg for this worm
opens the outer layer and lays the egg
in the stock and as soon as it matches
the little larva makes his way to the
soft center and Immediately thrives
upon the food that is supposed to go
to the rest of the plant above. In
cutting off this food supply the plant
cannot continue to thrive and there
fore withers and dies.
Corn Pests.
Prof. Vaughan in his trip through
Grant county last Tuesday afternoon
and Wednesday found considerable
corn root louise and some white grubs.
Wherever all three were present there
were considerable areas in the corn
fields that were rather small and
probably will give a very small yield.
The corn root louise was hardly ever
found doing any damage except in
conjunction with corn root rot.
The presence of corn root rot can
be easily identified by pulling up the
understood plants and splitting the
base of the plant or crown and will
hoo of
brown coloration, instead of being of
a whitish color showing a thrifty ap-
pearance. There is practically moth
ing that can be done to control this
except through crop rotation and
wherever considerable amounts Of
corn root rot is prevalent the owner
should make it a point not to grow
corn there again for at least three
years if possible. Some legume
mould be grown in the rotation either
clover, alfalfa, peas or soy beans. This
apparently helps to rid the soil of the
fungus germ that causes root rot in
corn.
Pea Louise.
On examining the late peas grown
for canning purposes this year little
green louise was found upon many of
the growing tops of the plants. In
some sections of the state they have
done considerable damage in the past
and the only method of control that
has proven as partial help is the
tobacco dust which can be applied on
windy days enabling one to treat
larger areas than if there was no
wind making it possible to cover most
Of the field by crossing it only few
times.
This year the rains came on just
about the right time washing them off
and leaving the pea crop practically
unchanged. In dry seasons, however,
is when they do their greatest damage.
This same green louise was found
on some oat fields this season and ap-
parently has done little or no damage
thus far and undoubtedly was con-
trolled by the rains and therefore no
fear need be taken about these pests.
If there are any apparent pests that
are damaging crops to any extent
please notify the county agent so that
an examination can be made and con-
trolled if possible.
Picric Acid Is Still Available.
The recent cut in freight rates has
reduced the price of picric acid from
lit to 112 cents per pound.
The explosive qualities of picric
acid are a little better than that OF
dynamite and at the present price
any one that has any blowing of
stumps or blasting of rocks to do
should take advantage of this oppor-
tunity and notify the county agent at
once if you want some picric acid.
P. F. GRAF, County Agt.