Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1922-08-04


OF ASricu!ture.)
Special Efforts to prevent the Eu-
ropean corn borer from spreading to
the corn belt, which it now threatens
TO do from the southern shore of
by the United States Department of
Agriculture. The most important sin
gle measure will be the rigid enforce
ment Of federal quarantine rcgulat tons
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
being carried to other parts Of the
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 vieY to applying and simplifying
methods IT controlling it. The slight
infestations along the lake shore. 1t 10
believed. will not cause serious injury
to corn there Immediately, giving am
pie time for a 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, it is
believed. originated In the province
OF Ontario, Canada, where a severe in
Hesitation 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 to fly
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
era! days at a 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, II In New Hamp-
shire, lis in New York, AZ in Ohio,
and ID In Pennsylvania. and prohibits
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 dah!ia. except the bulbs
to other states throughout tile year.
The ban applies 10 other products for
the period between June ! 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-
tons 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:
l. Burn, or otherwise destroy. be-
fore May l 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.
>. 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 to increase its consumption.
g. Plow under thoroughly, in the
fall, all infested Cornstalks. corn stub
BILE. other crop remnants, weeds and
similar material which it 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 material to a depth
Of at least 6 inches.
Plant Snnll areas nf on rl,. rurnot