The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-06-01


Special efforts to prevent the Eu-
ropean corn borer from spreading to
the corn belt, which 1t now threatens
to do from the southern shore Of
Lake Erie, will be made this season
by the United States Department Of
Agriculture. The most important sim
gle measure will be the rigid enforce
ment of federal quarantine regulations
by the federal horticultural board of
the department, In cooperation with
the Canadian government and the va
rious states where the pest now ex-
lists. This will prevent other infesta-
lions of the insect from coming into
the United States and will go long
way toward keeping the borer from
country.
The bureau of entomology Of the
department has prepared Its plans for
investigating the insect, which was
discovered In this country during 1917,
with view to applying and simplifying
methods of controlling 1t. The slight
infestations along the lake shore, 1t Is
believed, will not cause serious injury
to corn there Immediately, giving am
pie time for careful study of the in
sect and Its behavior In this new en-
vironment before actual commercial
damage Is done. For this purpose the
bureau will establish Immediately
number Of entomologists at Sandusky,
Ohio.
May Have Come From Canada.
The infestation on Lake Erie. II Is
believed, originated In the province
of Ontario, Canada, where a severe in
festation has been present for several
years. Favorable winds. during the
flight season of the moth In the sum-
mer of 1921 are supposed to have
compelled the adult insects 20 a. e.
across the lake to the American side
where they became established along
almost the entire southern shore. Rec
ords of the weather bureau indicate
that for the first time In five or six
years the winds prevailing then blew
from the north or northwest for sew
eral days at time. 1t Is not thought,
therefore, that this condition will pre-
vail again for several years, and other
moths be blown over.
In order to watch this phase of the
matter, however. the bureau of ento-
mology will request permission of the
lighthouse service to station observers
during the flight season at the power
full lights maintained along the south
ern shore. They will ascertain, IL pos
sible, whether moths are attracted to
the lights from the other side.
The federal quarantine includes IA
cities and towns In Massachusetts,,
three In Michigan, IL In New Hamp-
shire, 115 In New York, AZ In Ohio,
the shipment of corn and broom corn,
including all parts Of the stalk, cut
flowers or entire plants of chrysanthe-
mum, aster, cosmos, zinnia, hollyhock,
and cut flowers or entire plants Of
gladiolus and dahlia, except the bulbs,
to other states throughout the year.
The ban applies to other products for
the period between June 1 and De
cember 81, in the New England terri
tory. The prohibition applies to corn
and broom corn, including all parts
of the stalk, all sorghums and sudan
grass from infested areas In New
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michi-
gan throughout the year. No restric-
lions are placed on the interstate
movement Of clean shelled corn and
clean seed Of broom corn.
Control Practices Recommended.
To control the corn borer on the
farm, the department recommends the
following practices:
1. Burn, or otherwise destroy, be-
fore May of each year, all cornstalks,
corn cobs, corn stubble, vegetable, field
and flower crop remnants, weeds and
large-stemmed grasses Of the previous
year.
2. Keep cultivated fields, fence rows,
field borders, roadsides and such places
free from large weeds or large-stemmed
grasses.
3. Cut corn close to the ground.
4. Cut and remove sweet corn fodder |
from the field as soon as the ears are
harvested. Feed direct to live stock
or place In silo.
o. Cut and remove field corn from
the field as soon as the ears are ma
ture. Feed the stalks to live stock as
soon as possible and burn or otherwise
dispose of the uneaten parts before
May following. Shred or cut the
fodder 20 increase It's consumption.
8. Plow under thoroughly, In the
fall, all infested cornstalks, corn stub
BILE, other crop remnants, weeds and |
similar material which 1t is impracti-
cal to destroy In any other manner.
When necessary to adopt this prac-
tIce an attempt should be made to
pillow under all the mate. ial to depth |
of at least 9 inches.
z. Plant small areas of early sweet
corn to act as trap crop. adjacent to |