~13‘ \_...--‘

TTEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

BULLETIN NO. 64.

Special Services-—APR1L, l902--Horticultzare.

INSECT PESTS
ATTACKING

TRUCK CROPS.

 

(BY REQUEST OP THE COUNCIL)

POSTOFFIGE:
COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS.

AUSTIN, TEXAS:
vow BOECKMANN, SCHUTZE s; 00., STATE CONTRACTORS.
1902.

[11

' A. P. SMYTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mart. "

J OHN W. KOKERNOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .San Antonio. :4

JEFFERSON JOHNSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Austin. 7f‘

DR.  C. OLIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D0ug1asvi11e. 

WM. MALONE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hunter.. i.

TEXAS AGBIGULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIUIIiA

 
   

OFFICERS

GOVERNING BOARD.

(BOARD OF nrmaorons A. & M. COLLEGE.)

M. SANSOM, President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1va.rad0. i‘
F. A. REICHARDT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H0ust0n. 
P. H. ToBIN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Denis0n. 

STATION COUNCIL.

R. H. WHITLOCK, President. ,g
JEFFERSON JOHNSON, J. H. CONNELL, H. H. HARRINGTON, M. FRANCIS. .

STATION STAFF.

THE PRESIDENT——TREASURER OF THE COLLEGE.

J. H. CONNELL, M. So . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Direct0r.

H. H. HARRINGTON, M. Sc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Chemist.

M. FRANCIS, D. V. M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Veterinarian.

R. H. PRICE, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .H0rticu1turist and Mycologist.

B. C. PITTUOK, B. S. A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Agricu1turist.

, N. FRAENKEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . .Assistant Chemist.

E. A. WHITE, B. S . . . . . . . . . . .Assistant Horticulturist and Mycologist.

. J. W. CARSON, B. S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Farn1 Superintendent. ‘if

J. G. HARRISON . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Bookkeeper. ~
, SUB-EXPERIMENT STATION.
Beeville, Bee county . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .S. A. MGHENRY, Superintendent.

N orn-l-The main station is located on the grounds of the Agricultural
and Mechanical College, in Brazos County. The posto/fice address is
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS. Reports are sent free of cost to
farmers, hortioulturists, and stoclcmen of the State upon application to
the Director.

L21

METHODS 0F PROTECTING TRUCK CROPS FROM
THE RAVAGES 0F INJURIOUS INSEETS-

FREDERICK W. MALLY,

Professor of Entomology,
Agricultural and Mechanical College, College Station, Texas.

In this short bulletin the author can present only a few important
factors in the management and protection of truck crops from insect
ravages, which have been of great value to him as a truck grower in
Texas.

, It must be urged in the beginning that no truck grower should under-
take to raise a crop without first having equipped himself with insecti-
cides, fungicides and apparatus with which to apply them. Should the
emergency then arise where quick action might be imperative the crop
may be protected from insect depredations before serious damage can
have been done. In these days of severe competition and quick results
where both quality and earliness count for so much, it is utter folly to
undertake truck growing without suitable provision for all emergencies
of insect attacks or plant diseases.

Good farm management is also essential. By this is meant keeping
the truck lands and their surroundings free from rubbish or growing
weeds which affords food and shelter for all kinds of depredating insects.
The torch cannot be applied to such too freely when occasion demands.
Then, too, it means the destruction of the refuse parts or stumpage of
any given crop immediately after harvesting it. This is to be especially
urged, since leaving any portion of the refuse of the crop means the prop-
agation of the insect pests of that crop, and hence a menace to its future
successful and profitable production. For the reason that each crop

breeds its own enemies it is well, and in fact almost imperative, to rotate

the following year with some other crop in order that the insect enemies
of the previous crop will have to go elsewhere and will mostly perish
before reaching their food plant. If the same truck crop is grown for a
number of yearson the same land there can be no other result, ulti-
mately, than that all the pests of that crop will have furnished them all
the conditions for successful breeding, and will sooner or later make it

impossible to grow that crop profitably.

LIFE HISTORY OF INSECTS.

There are four stages in the life development of insects. 1. The egg.
2. The larva. 3. The pupa or chrysalis. 4. The adult or imago.
When the egg hatches it produces a larva. It is during this second stage
that insects grow. The newly hatched larva is very small. As it feeds
voraciously and grows, its old skin becomes too small. What is called
melting then takes place, and the old skin is changed for a new and

' [3]

4 TisxAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

larger one. This process goes on until the larva becomes full grown. i
During the last molt the larva changes into the pupa and becomes quies- i;
cent. During this period internal changes take place until the pupa 
hatches into the adult 0r full grown insect. Adults never grow any more, 

but often feed as vigorously as the larvae before them, though not always

 

on the same host plant. The cycle of life just given is one in which each 
stage of development differs radically from the other, and applies only 

to a portion of the insect world. For example, egg, larva, pupa, butter- 

fly. There are other orders of insects in which, when the egg hatches,

the larva may be at once recognized as resembling the adult. This larva

molts the same as any other larva, but each time it becomes larger and
more nearly resembles the complete full grown insect. The stage just
before the last molt is called the nymph, and corresponds to the pupa of
the butterfly. The molting of the nymph then produces the full grown
insect. For example, egg, larva, nymph, grasshopper. These insects
have a direct development and the growing period occupies the larval

as well as the nymph stages. Those of the first group grow only during '

the larval state. .
The methods of obtaining and eating their food and hence of doing
injury are very varied and distinct and. are very important because the
methods of Warfare against any given insect depends directly upon a
knowledge of how it feeds. There are insects which do their injury by
biting off and actually chewing and swallowing their food as solid sub-

. stance. For these arsenical poisons may be administered on or with their

food. Others have beaks for puncturing through the outer skin of plants
and pumping the sap from underneath. Hence no outside solid matter
is ever taken into the stomach and for that reason poisons cannot be
administered. For these, contact insecticides, such as whale oil soap or
kerosene emulsion, must be used and actually sprayed upon their bodies
to be effective. Hence in any proposed insect warfare it is important to
first determine the character of the mouth parts, which, therefore, also
largely determine the manner of their feeding and attack.

PREVENTION BY RIGHT PREPARATION OF HOT BEDS, COLD
FRAINIPIS AND FIELD AREAS.

HOT BED MANAGEMENT.

The hot bed is the first battle ground. This, prepared with the utmost
care, becomes, especially during the winter season, the most attractive
spot in the vicinity for certain insect pests. Here the choicest plants of
favorite varieties are grown by the thousands in the smallest possible
space. Hence also the wholesale destruction of the plants in a remark-
ably short time is a very easy matter once an insect depredator gains
entrance. If at such time the truck grower must first order apparatus
and insecticides the plants are more frequently lost than saved, owing to
the delay in application of the remedial measures which otherwise might
have saved them. Two of the greatest inducements to certain insect pests
during the winter time are suflicient moisture and warmth, or both.
These conditions if carried to excess also invite fungus attacks. It has
been my observation that more hot bed plants are lost from too much
moisture or heat, or both, than from insect depredations. To obviate this
difliculty the author has for a number of years practiced sub-irrigation

a coarse sieve and sifting the ashes evenly over the entire surface.

 

_‘_V__ qq-yfiw»; . f 37  1-." a.’ .  .

INSECT PEsTs ATTACKING~» TRUCK CROPS. ' 5

of hot beds and seed beds and never watering from the surface
except at transplanting time. Either three 0r four inch tiling is used
and laid 0n a dead. level in forty to fifty foot beds. For four foot seed
beds only one series of tiling is laid along the center. For six foot beds,
two are used parallel With each other, and somewhat nearer the outer
edge than the center of the beds. A T joint is used at one end of the
string of tile and pieces of boards block the underground openings.
Both ends of the tile are under the sash or cloth covering, if in a hot bed.
When the plants show that they need moisture, water is poured in at the
T end of the tile and allowed to diffuse from the joints along the l.ine.
In a hot bed this tiling lies above the level of the furnace flues distribut-
ing the heat, and this warms the water, or even vaporizes it, driving it
upwards in a warmed condition. This avoids all danger of chilling the
plants from the application of water colder than the temperature of the
hot bed soil. Then, too, the plants are constantly sending their roots
downward after moisture, rather than upwards, and the result is that
they are more uniformly finely rooted than can possibly be produced by
any other method. At the same time the surface is constantly and uni-
formly dry, which at once affords the greatest possible protection against
fungus diseases or insect visits.

Hot beds in urinter, or seed beds for midsummer or autumn, should
be well prepared fully a month ahead of seed sowing. The soil should
be well dug up, Watered thoroughly, then pulverized and leveled off.
This done, treat with CflTlIJOD bisulphide (also called high life) as follows:
Take any ordinary garden dibble and punch holes six inches deep two
feet apart all over the surface of the bed. Then pour an ounce of carbon

. bisulphide into each hole, immediately fill it up with earth, giving it

a slight pressure. Do this as quickly as posible and then cover with hot
bed sash or cloth. In case of autumn seed beds cover the surface with
wet gunny sacks. Allow the beds to remain in this condition for a. couple
of weeks and then uncover and air well. This fumigation process

destroys any insect eggs or lower animal life‘ in the soil and at the same

time most all of the fungus spores. In addition it stimulates a healthy
vigorous plant growth afterwards. '

As the season progresses save and gather up plenty of wood ashes.
Pile them so as to leach well and rot thoroughly by the time fumigation
is completed. At sowing time spade the seed bed over thoroughly, pul-
verize well, and level off as before. Sow the seed, cover well (about an
inch deep), and tamp the surface lightly. If it be an autumn seed bed
give a liberal top dressing of tobacco dust at the rate of 500 pounds per
acre.and rake in lightly. Then apply a dressing of the well leached wood
ashes to a depth of about one-sixteenth inch. This is done by taking a
If for
a hot bed sift the wood ashes on first and then apply a dusting of a mix-
ture of one ounce of sulphur to three ounces of air-slaked lime. Use a
finer meshed sieve than for the ashes, and sift on enough to make the sur-
face look like a frosty morning. Then take the coarser sieve again and
give an evenly distributed application of tobacco dust at the rate of about

‘300 pounds per acre, or until the whitishness of the lime application is

hidden. The lime and sulphur prevent damping off, and the tobacco

/ dust destroys or drives out all insect or animal life. The ordinary heat
‘f of the hot bed generates vapor enough from the moisture to set free the
 fumes of tobacco to such an extent that the odor is VGTY noticeable when

6 a TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

the sash is opened for airing the beds. For this reason, if for no other, r‘
hot bed sash are preferred to the cloth covers. With sub-irrigation keep-pi;
ing the surface dry,_and with the dressings of fungicide and insecticides‘
materials above indicated, the author has yet to experience his first losses >
of plants in seed beds or hot beds, due to insect ravages or fungus dise;
eases. Root maggots in autumn seed beds are especially easily prevented '
by the fumigation and anti-pest dressing manipulation just outlined,
This kind of management is also especially advisable in those localities
Where onions and cabbage are grown extensively, in order that the various 1’
root troubles may be avoided. The above outlined treatment and pre- .
ventive measures apply equally‘ well to all locations or for any season if;
of the year,,and should therefore have a much wider application among-L

gardeners than has heretofore been given the system.

GOLD‘ FRALIE LIANAGELIENT.

It has been my practice to give these almost the same management as .y
. to preparation that is given the hot bed. There is of course no bottom}
heat, water is used more freely and, except in permanently located cold
frames, the watering is done from the surface. Where cold frames have i‘
Cold
frames should be given the carbon bisulphide treatment some two weeks '5
After the plants have been trans- 
ferred to the cold frames then a liberal top dressing of about one pound 
of tobacco dust per 100 square feet is sifted evenly over the surface. 
The next day after transplanting they are thoroughly sprayed with a 5
solution of arsenate of lead in the proportion of one pound to twenty-five 
gallons of water. This should be done as a general precautionary meas- 
ure to guard against the sudden appearance of some voracious leaf-feed- ‘i
ing insect which would cause sad havoc before proper treatment might 
Just before the'plants are taken from the cold a

a permanent location it is well to provide for sub-irrigation.

in advance of transplanting time.

otherwise be given.
frames to the field for transplanting they should be well sprayed with
the arsenate of lead solution already indicated.

FIELD MANAGEMENT.

O

For such crops as are taken from the cold frame to the fields with a,
small block of the cold frame earth, it is to be urged that a small handful ‘
of tobacco dust be applied as a fertilizer at the time of transplanting, 

followed with a liberal application as a top dressing around the plants.

In the case of onions which are transferred direct from the original 

seed bed to the field, the rows should be first marked oif lightly with a

bull tongue, and tobacco dust applied at the rate of about 500 pounds
per acre. Mix with earth well by running a bull tongue through it. Bed 
lightly so as to fill up the furrow, and smooth down the rows to a level. 
A good fertilizer drill will answer the purpose as well and is more expe- 
ditious. After the onions are transplanted give another liberal top dress- 15

ing of tobacco dust along side of the rows and in between the plants.

This treatment applies equally well to all crops or seeds to be planted ,

or sown directly in the fields. Such operations should always be accom-
panied with the intelligent and liberal use of tobacco dust.

 

INSECT Pnsrs ATTACKING TrwcK CRoPs. 7

PREPARATION, NATURE AND USE OF INSECTICIDES.

BISULPHIDE OF CARBON (“HIGH LIFE”).

When of good quality this is a colorless liquid and is made by passing
sulphur fumes over charcoal brought to a white heat. While perfectly
safe for handling and applying, yet great care should be exercised to keep
it from heat or exposure to flames. It is extensively used in fumigating
operations against soil infesting pests. Its fumes are heavier than air
and readily permeate throughout all portions of the soil t0 which it may
be applied. It readily destroys animals, insects or eggs found in the soil.
It is especially valuable for the fumigation of buildings or granaries
infested with objectionable insect or other pests. It is often used to
fumigate plants in the open by placing hoods over them with the high
life in a suitable vessel underneath. See page 12 for treatment of melon
louse. It is invaluable as a remedy against plant lice, inasmuch as the
fumes diffuse to every nook and crevice and reach these little pests where
and when it would be impossible to do so with any other insecticide or
manner of application. Though a liquid, it is sold by weight and may
be had at any drug store.

TOBACCO DUST.

The value of this waste product as an aid to successful truck growing

i is too little appreciated. If there is one insecticide which should be on

hand and used by the truck grower first, last, and all the time, it is
tobacco dust. Aside from its insecticidal value it is worth practically
all it costs as a fertilizer to any soil or crop to which it may be applied.
Hence it is gross folly not to use it more generally and liberally in truck
growing operations. ‘

Any good fertilizer drill will answer for drilling it into the soil into
which seeds are to be sown later on. The combination seed and fertilizer
drill is the one which has given best results in my practice. Use at the
rate of 400 pounds per acre with the seed when drilled in. Fertilizer
drills may also be used to give the top dressing on the surface alongside
of the plants as they come up. The cultivator shoe needs only to be
taken off ahead, and the singletree and beam so set as to keep the end
of the fertilizer guide out of the ground.

KEROSENE EMULSION.

This is perhaps the most generally used of ‘all the contact insecticides
of its ‘class. It is best prepared as follows: Take one pound of whale
oil soap and boil in a gallon of water until dissolved. While hot add
two gallons of kerosene oil. Churn this mixture through a force pump
with nozzle attached, directing the spray against the wall of the vessel
again. This process should be kept up until the liquid mass thickens like

butter. Then allow to cool. After cooling it should not separate. If.

so, it must be boiled, more soap added, and churned again. Rain water
should be used, or water which has been made soft by using lye with it.

‘ This forms what is called the stock solution.‘ Any good lye soap will
F make the emulsion, but whale oil soap is to be preferred. The stock

 - solution may be diluted to any strength required for any given plant. i

  
     
  
 
   
  
  
   
  
    
   
  
   
   
 
   
 
   
  

8 TExAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

[The proportions will depend upon the resistance of the plant 0r *
tenacity of the insect. 

It must be remembered that this insecticide kills by closing the breat
ing spiracles of insects and in a manner suffocates them. Hence ea A,
individual insect must be struck in the application of this kind of .{_
insecticide and it Will be evident at once that unless the very best nozzl
are used, the best designed force pumps employed, and the Work don
thoroughly, only partial results will follow. It is always good practi
to spray at frequent intervals for such pests as plant lice in order tha'__
they may be kept in control. One application seldom ever suffices 
eradicate these pests. Contact insecticides are necessary for all thos]
insects which have puncturing mouth parts and which, therefore, do no
take in solid food and cannot be poisoned. It Will, therefore, be appar:
ent, as was urged in preceding pages, that the eating habits must b‘
determined first and then the nature of the insecticide to be used. i»

“THALE OIL SOAP.

l If a good quality of this soap can be obtained, it is a valuable insecti:
cide, which may be used against the same kinds of insects as is kerosen’,
emulsion. There is more danger to the foliage of the plants if used too;
frequently than follows the use of kerosene emulsion. There is little.
danger from its use, though, if the operator is very exact in all his prep;
arations, and applications are made during a cool, cloudy or rainy season...
For more resistant plants, the soapsuds may be formed by dissolvingi
one pound of the soap in four gallons of water. More tender foliage‘
requires dilutions up to one pound to eight gallons. Specific tests will,;;
in most cases, have to determine the exact strength Which the plants will
Withstand without injury, and at the same time prove effective against f
the insect. '

PARIS GREEN.

This is one of the poisonous insecticides used against insects which
actually eat solid food, and which may, therefore, be poisoned. Paris T
green is recommended only in those cases where arsenate of lead. cannot if
be utilized with equally good practice and results. This is notably the 
case where the insecticides must be applied in the powder form. When i!
this is the case, there is no better poisonous insecticide than this one. __.A
For tender foliage plants, use one pound of Paris green to fifteen pounds s»;
flour; mix Well. Sift on to the plants through a cloth bag of some kind 
having fine meshes through which the mixture will escape in clouds of <1.
dust when shaken over the plants. For more resistant foliage, use one" .
pound in ten of flour. Apply after a rain while foliage is yet damp, or
while dew is yet on in the morning.

Many growers have used Paris green upon Irish potato crops in their '
fight against the potato beetle without meeting with success. The same g
result follows for all those insects requiring an excessive amount of i
poison to kill. The failure is due to the fact that if enough Paris green A
is applied to be effective against the insect, it will also seriously injure 
the plants. This is at once the greatest objection to the gen-eral use of
Paris green, or rather it is an obstacle, which is more serious than an A
objection. This is especially noteworthy when application is to be made -

 

INSECT Pnsrs ATTACKING TRUCK CRoPs. 9

upon plants or crops in the fruiting stages early in the season... For-
tunately, all these obstacles are overcome in '

ARSENATE OF LEAD.

This is a compound made of acetate of lead and arsenate of soda.
Both chemicals are put into solution, then mixed in the proper propor-
tions, and arsenate of lead is larecipitated. This is filtered out and pre-
pared as a manufactured product called arsenate of lead. The important
advantages of this poison over Paris green are as follows:

1. It comes manufactured as a paste, is easily dissolved or suspended
in water, safely handled, and applied Without danger to man or beast in
the process of application.

2. It is of about the same specific gravity as Water, and, therefore,
remains in suspension Well during its application.

3. It can be used in great strengths on the most delicate foliage or
fruits Without danger of injury to them. This one property makes it
pre-eminently the insecticide for the truck-grower, Who has so many deli-
cate foliaged crops to protect. Especially is this the case in hot beds or
seed beds. It can be applied to these with perfect safety. Hence, no
matter how much poison any given insect may require, the arsenate of
lead mixture can be made strong enough to meet that requirement and
yet do not the slightest injury to the crop. -

4. It has the property of adhesiveness. It is of such consistency that

once it has had time to dry on the plant after being applied, ordinary
rains or dews do not wash it off, and it remains effective for a longer
period. A few hours of bright sunshine after application will suffice to
dry it well. Instances are on record where drenching rains have followed
shortly after applications were made, and yet the insects ravaging the
crops afterwards were destroyed. Had this been an application of Paris
green, the time, labor and cost of materials would largely have been a
loss.

The four distinct advantages of arsenate of lead just recited may be
given as distinct disadvantages of Paris green. (l) It is a powder and
a menace to man and beast during the process of its application. (2) It
is heavier than water, and does not remain in suspension Well.  It
readily scorches fruit and foliage if used too strongly. (4) It is easily
washed off by rains or heavy dews.

BLAST TORCH.

There are the ordinary blast torches used so generally by plumbers,
tinners and painters. They burn gasoline, holding about a quart or half
gallon. An air pump is attached with which airpressure is given.
This forces the gas out under great pressure, and When lighted produces
a long, roaring flame. This flame is flashed about, underneath, and over-
head. the infested plant. Many insects are instantly killed by the process
or their spiracles are so scorched that they die shortly after. Plant lice
are especially susceptible to destruction by this process, and also the
much dreaded calico or Harlequin bug of cabbage. By practicing a little,
one soon learns to envelope the plant With the flame so as not to injure
it and yet produce great havoc among the insect pests attacking it. Mr.
S. A. McHenry, Superintendent of the Beeville Branch of the Texas

“l0 TExAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

I Experimental Station, deserves the credit for being the first, so far i_

‘hoppers, this is simply scattered broadcast in the fields Where they _

  
  
    
  
   
  
  
 
   

our records go, of utilizing this blast torch with which to destroy t
‘Harlequin bug on cabbage. He states that the young are easily kille
but that the older ones require a greatdeal more scorching. This agaT
enforces the argument of the importance of early warfare on all insec
pests. More may be accomplished with prompt and persistent action i
the beginning than by spending hundreds later on. The blast torch 
simple, and may be brought into action with the scratch of a match, if,
kept on hand and ready for use. Hence, every truck-grower should have
one of these little torches. They come into use in a hundred different;
ways, once they are on the premises. They may be gotten of any whole-j;
sale hardware establishment at a nominal cost compared to their llSGflll-f
ness. 

BRAN MASH AND OTHER POISONED BAITS.

Young grass, Wheat or oats, freshly cut or mown, is dipped into a7:
solution of half a gallon of molasses to one gallon of Water in which has
been dissolved two pounds of arsenate of lead. This poisoned food is f1.
laid in small baits about the young plants in the garden and a shingle.‘
or small piece of board is laid over it loosely. This is a good trap and
bait for cutworms. 

Bran mash is also quite popular, and is very successfully used against .
grasshoppers when these become numerous. Take four pounds of arse- .
nate of lead and dissolve in two gallons of water. Mix thoroughly with
one gallon of mola.sses. Then sift in wheat bran to make a stifi but 
moist mash. In fact, have it rather too moist than too dry. For grass- »

are very numerous. If for flower beds or garden patches, small portions 
of this mash may be placed as above indicated for poisoned bait. White 
arsenic is as good for this mash as anything else, but care must be taken 
to get it evenly distributed throughout the materials. It is much heavier .
than either Water or bran. Oftentimes gardeners have failures for the ' i.
reason that the arsenic settles before all of the mash has a portion dis- ,,
tributed to it. If arsenic is used, greater care should be exercised in 
placing the bait, as it should not be placed too near the plants. If the
arsenate of lead is not fresh, it will be advisable to use greater quantities
than have been here indicated. .;

Poisoned baits are most successful during rainy seasons, when the ‘ "
ground is full of moisture. This is owing to the fact that if the soil is 
very dry it absorbs the moisture from the mash, which then becomes
uninviting to cutworms. For this reason, also, it is Well to place the
shingles or pieces of ‘board as indicated. In climates where there are
prevailing dry and hot winds, the mash must be applied in a very moist
condition. If only small areas are involved, the mash should be well
sprinkled each evening, or fresh bait placed.

BORDEAUX MIXTURE.

Stock solution : Take six pounds sulphate of copper, four pounds quick
lime, twenty-two gallons water. Dissolve the copper sulphate in eleven
gallons of rain Water by placing in a flour or other cloth sack and allow
it to hang in the water over night. By morning it will all be dissolved.

ggegtfaei< 1: +1 .

INSECT PESTS ATTAGKING TRUCK CROPs. 11
Slack the lime in the same amount of water the night previous, and
allow to stand and settle. Then draw off the lime water. Pour the lime
water and the copper solution simultaneously into a larger vessel, allow-
ing the two streams to mix well as they are poured in. Stir and mix
up well.

to suit the plants to be sprayed. Diluting this to forty-five gallons is safe
for all except the most tender plants. This formula is here given,
because it is the best fungicide to be used in treating plants for fungus
diseases, and because arsenate of leadinay be used with it, and the
plants sprayed with a combination solution Q1 as to protect them from
both insect pests and fungus diseases.

PROTECTING TRUCK CROPS FROM INSECT PESTS.

CABBAGE, GAULIFLOETER, ETC.

Cabbage L0'use.-~This pest often becomes numerous during a favora-
ble season. Use the blast torch, or kerosene emulsion, one gallon to ten
of water. When the weather is not too cold, much good can be done by
simply bringing Water to the boiling point, keeping it as hot as possible,
and then thoroughly spraying the plantswith it. This will kill the lice
while very young quite satisfactorily, but in cold weather the tempera-
ture cools too quickly in the fine spray as it escapes from the nozzle, and
results are not so good.

The first lice to appear are always few in number, and are found only
here and there on single plants.
with the blast torch or emulsion as indicated, their spread to the entire
crop will, at least, be greatly delayed, if not entirely prevented. If
neither of these is available, a small hood placed over the plant with a
tablespoonful of carbon bisulphide poured into the bag, as explained
later, Will destroy them. Make the hood air-tight by raking up earth
around the edges and closing all openings.

Root Maggots-Jfhis pest is likely to develop as a result of contin-
uously cropping the same land with cabbage for a number of years.
Hence, the first important move is to change the land and put the cab-
bage crop on fresh land. As a general precaution, also apply tobacco
dust liberally at transplanting time, both in with the soil and as a top
dressing. If land is well known to be infested, and cabbage must be
planted thereon, it will be imperative to fumigate the whole plant with
carbon bisulphide the same as though it were a cold frame or hot bed.
Make the holes somewhat deeper and tamp the surface a little more
solidly than if it were under cover. This will do for the smaller truck
gardens, but for larger acreages it will be best to proceed as follows:
Take out the minor attachments of any ordinary fertilizer drill and
place a vessel or can of carbon bisulphide in position. This vessel should
have a funnel attached projecting downurard from the can to the earth
beneath. The opening at the lower end should be about an eighth of
an inch. The drill should then be pulled along the same as though fer-
tilizer were being distributed. The high-life will flow out slowly at the
lower end and be covered by the shovels or discs behind. The drill
should be made to run as deeply as possible. This will thoroughly fumi-

This gives twenty-two gallons of stock solution. This must be‘
taken the same as kerosene emulsion, in smaller quantities, and diluted-

If these are given prompt attention '

y scorched bythe blast torch, and especially the first brood of young. This

  
   
  
   
  
 
   
   
   
  
    
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
   

12 TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.
gate the soil along the rows, and Will go far towards preventing 
development ‘of the pest. If it is found later that the pest isdevelop y
then take, dibbles and make ‘a hole from two sides of the plants, be“
ning about two inches away from them and slanting towards each otli
until they meet down underneath the plant at a depth of four or fi,
inches. Pour a tablespoonful of high-life into each hole andplug wi,
earth rather tightly. If the soil is dry, irrigate a short time before L
application of the carbon bisulphide, as it will act better and for a long
period when the soil is quite damp. If the plants have been growing u»
some time, the holes should be made further away and run deeper dow“
Judgment should be exercised in this, as when the fumes of high- _
come in direct contact with the roots of the plants it will check the‘
growth, if it does not kill them. There is no occasion for this kind o‘
a loss if the gardener uses proper judgment in any given case. 

Harlequin, or Calico Bugs.—These are best destroyed by the blas
torch method already explained under that head. Another and ver
helpful method is to sow trap rows of mustard early, and some tim‘
ahead, of the cabbage or other crops which they are likely to attack l.
This is especially advisable in spring, when only a few hibernating indiff
viduals first appear. They prefer mustard as a food plant, and if suc-T
cessive sowings of this crop are maintained from time to time, they Wi y‘
hardly leave it for cabbage. Here, then, the very first in spring may b

,1:

can be done more successfully on mustard, as they are colonized there,‘
as it Were, and the same time and effort will kill greater numbers. Then;
too, the mustard may be sprayed with a full strength of kerosene oili}
This will kill the plants, but also all the Harlequin bugs it strikes. The‘;
price of immunity from this pest is relentless warfare from the earliestf
appearance in spring on through the season. The eggs are easily gath-l
ered from the first generation in spring, especially on trap mustard, and’:
it cannot be too strongly urged that it is important to destroy the first f
brood early in the season. - ' .

Green Cabbage Warmer-The crop should be well spray-ed with arse-J
nate of lead, two pounds in fifty gallons water, as soon as set out into
the field and well started. Spraying should be kept up until the plants
begin heading. There is positively no danger from this method previous Q
to the heading of the cabbage. After that time it will be well to use y]
kerosene emulsion or hot water. as already indicated in previous pages. ‘j

Cut W0rms.—These can be largely prevented by the liberal use of a. 
top dressing of tobacco dust and stems, especially if at the same time?’
the cabbage is kept well sprayed with arsenat-e of lead while young. To _
make doubly sure, use the poisoned baits already described (see p. 10), w
and place them along the plants, keeping them covered and moist. Fresh i?
baits should be furnished as soon as the old. ones become too dry or unin-
viting.

CUCUMBERS, OANTALOUPES AND WATERMELONS.

Melon L0use.——'l‘he most serious menace to melon crops is what has <
come, to be popularly called “honey dew.” This is produced by a species ,
of louse found on the plants. It is the same species as attacks cotton 
so seriously some seasons, but is different from the louse on cabbage and 7
similar crops. If the melon grower will observe his vines carefully, he

INSECT PESTS ATTACKING TRUCK URoPs. 13

will find scattering lice, green bodied, here and there on the under side
of some of the leaves on some of the plants. These begin the deposition
and development of living young at an astonishing rate, and soon there

' Will be leaves here and there which Will curl downwards, at last closing

and leaving only a small opening. Within will be found a mass of
living lice. They eject the peculiar liquid substance called “honey dew”
from honey tubes at the posterior and dorsal end of the abdomen. Melon
fields should be carefully inspected each week, in order that the first
colonies which begin breeding may be destroyed and their further spread
at least delayed. If these first colonies here and there be systematically
destroyed, the crop will be made and gathered in many sections of the
melon district before the pest becomes numerous enough to ruin the
plants. lt is important, also, not to plant cotton near melon fields, and
it is even more important not to plant melons on lands which were in
cotton the season before. Neither is it advisable to plant melons twice
in succession, especially if the lice appeared plentifully on this crop the
previous year. To make the most successful fight against the melon
louse, it will be necessary to educate the growers to the importance of
beginning the campaign very early. As to remedial measures, the first
important step is to have used tobacco dust freely in the hills at plant-
ing time, and to have plenty of it as a top dressing around the plants,
and under the vines.

In the Beeville district, the melon lice have been found as early as

a the middle of April, and that is the time the first fight should be made.

Once the infestation has reached the “honey dew” stage, little need be
done except to repent of the folly of putting things off too long. Melon
growers should provide themselves with a hundred or more small fumi-
gating hoods. These can be used from year to year, and also to destroy
the first colonies of lice developing on cabbage or other crops. In fact,

i they will be found to be the most useful thing on the premises before the

first season is over. They are easily made, as follows: Take 3/16 inch
spring steel or brass wire and form a hoop about two feet in diameter.
Then make another and cut in two halves. Fasten the ends of these to
the hoop so that they may cross at right angles over the center and form
the hood over which the canvas is to be stretched. This should be heavy
oiled or-tarred domestic, which will make it close and air-tight. A little
to one side of the center from the top, cut and sew in a large button
hole, as it were, and to the inner edge sew in a bag of mosquito bar con-
taining a considerable wad of loose cotton, or old rags. Provide a suita-
ble plug to close the button hole tightly. When prepared, and the few
scattering lice have made their appearance, place these hoods over the
plants and pour in a tablespoonful of carbon bisulphide through the

‘ button hole and close tightly. Of course, earth should be raked around
the lower edge of the hood, so as to make the edge tight. Allow these

hoods to remain over the plants about an hour. Every louse within the
enclosure will be killed, and if done systematically for the entire field

yearly in the season, there need be no fear of loss of the crop. If the

pest should spread later from cotton and endanger the crop, another

 treatment should be given. In fact, a second treatment should be given y

 whenever it is found that colonies are again being formed. The objec-
 tion so often raised against this method-that the vines are too large-—

 

s not valid, for the reason that it is then also too late, and the treat-

‘ all gone. It is the fallcrop which suffers most, and to protect this trap

14 "FExAs AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

  
 
  
   
  
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
 
  

ment should be given before they are too large. The advantage to i“
great number of hoods is that one workman can be kept busy resettin’
and thereby cover a considerable acreage each day. He should have 
many hoods as he can set in an hour. '5
- Adjoining or near-by cotton fields should be closely watched, and Wi 
the first appearance of the lice on this crop, it should be well spraye
with kerosene emulsion at the rate of one gallon to ten of water. T‘h'
should be repeated each Week, or during the period when the winge_
generation is produced, and the general spread takes place, the trea,
ment should be made twice a week. This method will kill millions of
the lice which might otherwise escape and migrate to the melon vines;
The importance of prompt, early and determined action can not be toy}
strongly urged. 

ONIONS. s 

_’l’ltrips.—ln addition to the discussion already given for onions under "
the head of general seed bed and field management this pest has beenY ;
menace to the crop at several points along the coast where the crop ,i§_ a
extensively grown. It is a small, delicate, straw colored insect, and i,
found by the thousands on the plants. The crop should be thoroughl
sprayed with kerosine emulsion, one gallon to ten of water, and the opeié
ation repeated within a few days if any live specimens are found to hav
escaped the first treatment. A general precaution is not to plant th
crop twice on the same land in succession. If.

IRISH POTATOES.

Colorado Potato Beetles and Spanish FZ;z/.—It has been already ex?
plained under the head of Paris green that these beetles need a great;
deal of poison, and in fact so much that it is not possible to apply this
old remedy with perfect success in sufficient strength, Without seriousl -
injuring the crop. Hence arsenate of lead is par excellence the remedy,
for the above named pests. Use five pounds arsenate of lead to fiftyj;
gallons of water. Spray as soon as any beetles appear and at intervals of
two weeks for about three applications. At least one application should’?
be made about the time the plants are full grown so that there may be
no unsprayed new growth. Spraying need not be repeated after each
rain as is necessary if Paris green be used. ,

TOMATOES.

4i
In addition to what has already been outlined in general under other
headings, it is necessary to protect this crop from the attack of the cot-fl
ton boll worm, or more properly speaking the roasting ear worm. They"
eat small holes into the tomato, either half or full grown, and destroytitl
for market. They prefer corn in roasting ear condition, however, and
this crop is given them in the way of trap rows planted for that purpose;
the tomato will escape attack. The spring crop seldom sufiers much‘
injury owing to the fact that the crop is made before roasting ears ail

rows of Mexican June corn should be planted along the edges of the?
acreage to be put into the fall crop, so as to bein roasting ear condition,’
during the fruiting period of that crop. Several successive plantings of;

 

INSECT Pnsrs ATTACKING TRUCK CROPS. 15

A the corn should be made so as to cover the entire fruiting time of the

tomato.

‘ It must be urged again to apply a liberal top dressing of tobacco dust
around the plants at transplanting time. Also spray With arsenate of
lead up to within a month of the time for gathering the first picking.
Use two pounds to fifty gallons of Water.

SQUASH BUGS.

These bugs puncture the young fruit of cucumbers, cantaloupes, mel-
ons, squash and the fall crop of tomatoes. It is difficult to kill them with
the ordinary contact insecticides, unless they be sprayed before they
become adults. In that case kerosene emulsion, one gallon. to ten of
water, will be of service.

These bugs are especially partial to early squash, and either the crook-
neck or the scalloped variety should be planted as a trap crop. A few
hills should be planted scatteringly in several rows across the fields in
which it is proposed to plant any of the other crops named. The first
planting should be as early in spring as possible and will catch the first
brood of eggs. These trap plants, being comparatively few in number,
should be carefully handpicked of all eggs which are laid upon their
leaves. At the same time a couple of shinglesshould be placed loosely
around the trap plants and the adults will hide or take refuge under
them.‘ Here they may be destroyed by the thousands. The plants of the
other crops around will escape attack, and i.f a succession of young squash
are kept growing the other crops will continue to escape serious injury
until the crop has been made and gathered. In connection with this the
other crops should be well sprayed with Bordeaux mixture to render
their leaves distasteful to the bugs. This enforces the colonization to
the trap plants still more, and will enable the grower to concentrate his
attack on the trap plants. These latter of course should not be sprayed
with the Bordeaux mixture at any time during the period they are to
serve as traps. These trap squash will also attract the feeding of the
striped cucumber beetles and also the egg deposition of the pickle worm.
In the latter case, however, the blooms should be gathered every few
days, beginning about June first, and be burned in order that no fresh
moths may develop for another period of egg laying. It is important to

inspect the blooms carefully in order that no moths may escape. As I

soon as the crops WhlCll the trap squash are protecting have been har-
vested all vines and fruits should be gathered and burned.

WHITE GRUBS.

For these give three injections of carbon bisulphide at equal distances
on each square yard, using a half ounce for each hole. This is for light
sandy soils. For heavier clay formations make four injections per square
yard and make them deeper. In any case this treatment should be made
in the fall or early spring while the grubs are deeper down in the soil.
In midsummer they may be too near the surface to get the full effect of
the fumes of the carbon bisulphide, especially if it be a dry season.

16 _ _ l TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS. 

  
  
   
 
    
    
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
   
   
  
   
  
 
   
   
  
   
 

SELECTION or SPRAYINNG APPARATUs. it

It is in the selection of spraying outfits that the average man mak‘
the greatest blunders. This is owing to the fact that he does not disf
tinguish between a sprinkle and a spray. He often takes the precautio 
of getting good insecticide materials and looks Well to all other details;
Yet when the apparatus for applying those materials are to be purchased
any glib-tongued salesman at a country store can sell. him anything from;
a sprinkling pot to a squirt gun, with the fullest assurance that “they;
will do just as Well.” Let is be understood once for all that this Depart-g,
ment urges and recommends spraying and not sprinkling, and that we§
will assume no responsibility for the slip-shod methods of applying
insecticides. Those who sprinkle need not expect to get the best, norf
even satisfactory, results. Spraying has been reduced to almost math-E
ematical accuracy. Nozzles are now made which have no guess work i‘
their design. Of course, there are good and bad nozzles on the marketn i
and let it be understood that none of the good ones are cheap. With this.
special appeal for higher priced, reliable apparatus, instead of the chea ‘l
and disreputable makeshifts, will proceed to indicate some of the best.
apparatus in which the gardener can invest. 

For the gardener of small acreages there is no kind of spraying apparé
atus better, or of more general utility, than the best made knapsack}
sprayer. Buy the best design made by any of the following firms, or.‘
their agents in Texas, and results will always be satisfactory. The Dem-_
ing Co, Salem, Ohio; The Goulds Mfg. Oo., Seneca Falls, N. Y.; Wmf
Stahl, Quincy,‘ 111.; F. E. Myers, Ashland, Ohio; and the Field Force;
Pump Oo., Lockport, N. Y. 7‘

"For those truck growers of larger acreages there is a complete line of;
sprayers available which is thoroughly satisfactory. There a.re a number};
of devices which may be attached to wagons, etc., but they are all awk-
ward of management in the field, even though they will give good results‘;
if well operated. The cart or two Wheeled automatic sprayers with horse l I.
and driver are the most modern in design, and are easily operated in any _j- °
field, small or large, clear or stumpy, with about equal facility and eifia i,
ciency. The Aspinwall Mfg. Co, Jackson, Mich, have two models which; _
are entirely satisfactory. One they call the Daisy and the other the, 
Junior sprayer. Both sprayers have been thoroughly tested by thisl
department and the latter was extensively used in Texas the past season "' .
and gave splendid service in every instance. The Daisy sprayer is one?
of the best all purpose automatic sprayers, capable of being utilized
under a greater variety of conditions than any other outfit on the market _
now known to the author. It tracks only twenty-eight inches, has verticalfi
and horizontal sprayer attachments so that it may be used between nur-  ”
sery rows, in the vineyard, in the truck patch, or on the farm. It is f?
light (350 pounds), and so easily handled that the operator can dodge,
around stumps almost as readily as a plowman with a cotton sweep. It . f‘-
is pre-eminently the stumpy land sprayer. It takes two rows at a time,{1 

and hence is capable of treating about fifteen acres per day of any truck»? “

    
  
 

or farm crop. Its list price is $45.00, and for an all purpose automatic‘
sprayer there is nothing better on the market.

The Aspinvvall Junior is equally satisfactory in results and operation",
but is heavier (about 500 pounds) and takes four rows at a time. Henceif

.3

a for general utility, and hence, is also the most expensive.

s; _-

Insncr’ PESTS ATTACKING Tenors Cnors. 17

it has a capacity of about twenty-five to thirty acres per day. Its list
price is $50.00. The important consideration in both of these sprayers
is that their nozzle arms are so designed that one nozzle is directed on
the plants from each side of the row. These nozzle arms may be raised

a or lowered and the nozzles directed upwards, or they may be spread or ‘

closed laterally to suit the Width of rows. In this manner the plants in
any row are sprayed from the sides and underneath, as well as from the
top. No ‘other sprayers, except the Deming to be mentioned later, are
thus designed and equipped. To get perfect results it is of the great-
est importance to spray the plants thoroughly, sufficiently, and from
every quarter. It has long since been proven that with_ the ordinary
speed of a horse one nozzle to a row of any kind of truck or farm crops
‘has not sufficient capacity. Hence the distinct advantage of a double
set of nozzles to each row. It should be remembered, however, that this

advantage compels greater cost, owing to the number of nozzles, and ’

that, therefore, the cheapness of machines ofiered in competition really
becomes the greatest objection to them.
The Deming Co., Salem, Ohio, has just recently perfected a sprayer of

cart design which is certain to become popular, inasmuch as it_ meets all ~

the conditions above mentioned for the successful spraying of larger
acreages of truck and farm crops. It is adjustable to from two to ~five
rows, has a pair of nozzles to each row, and may be used either as an
automatic sprayer when in operation in the field for farm crops, or
pumped by hand for orchard work when stationary. It is one of the
best all-purpose designs on the market, and merits careful consideration.
It is listed at $75.00. .

NOZZLES.

There is only one really all-purpose nozzle which this department
recommends for use first, last and all the time; that is the Vermorel.
It is the best designed and most accurately made nozzle on the market

' No one should
be misled into buying any other design because it is “equally as good,”
and “cheaper.” At this writing, there is positively no other nozzle as
good, and none are cheaper when service and results are considered.
When buying or ordering spraying apparatus of any kind, always specify
that they be equipped with Vermorel nozzles.

PROTECTING THE FARMER AGAINST ADULTERATED INSECTICIDES.

The Statewisely provides for the analysis and inspection of poisonous
insecticides sold in Texas. Heretofore, many failures 1n spraying have
resulted, owing to the fact that the insecticides bought were adulterated.

Following is Section '7 of the law regulating the sale of poisonous
insecticides, which explains itself:

Any agriculturalist or farmer, a purchaser of any commercial fertilizer or com-
mercial poison in this State, may take a sample of the same under rules and regu-
lations to be prescribed by the Professor of Chemistry of the Agricultural and

Mechanical College, and forward the same to him for analysis, which analysis shall
be made free of charge.

- specific recommendations unless specimen insects accompany the inqui vf‘

18 i TEXAS ‘AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS.

  
    
   
   
  
 
    
   
  
    
 
  
  

Section 4 of the same law reads as follows:

Every box, barrel, keg or other package 0r quantity of commercial fertilizer 1'
commercial poison (within the limitations of Section 1 of this law), in any shape r
form, sold or oflfered for sale in this State shall have attached to it 1n a conspicuo t
place the label as provided for in Section 3 of this law, with the signature of =1
Professor of Chemistry attached. ‘

Purchasers should, therefore, see to it that the dealer from whom the
buy complies with this law, in order that he may be held liable if subs
quent investigations should justify legal prosecution, as provided for b
other sections of this law. "

HOW TO MAIL INSECTS TO THE ENTOMOLOGIST;

Oftentimes inquiries about insects are ‘made and recommendations 
to remedial measures asked for, Without the insects in question bein
forwarded for examination. It is a rule of this department to make s:

or request. In attempting to comply with this requirement, the insec
are often thrown into the envelope with the letter. Of course the
arrive in‘ a broken and crushed condition, entirely beyond recognition;
For this reason it is urged that the insects be placed in a tight box 
sufiicient strength to carry them through the mails safely. If larvae are:
sent, place some of their food plant with them. In all cases, use tight,
boxes, as the insects Will not suffer for air in transit. Butterflies 01g
moths should first be killed with chloroform and then packed securely
between papers, so that they will not jostle about in the box and rub,_
off their Wing scales, thereby obscuring their characteristic markings. ‘

Insects should never be enclosed in an envelope with the letter. Mail
them separately, and be especially careful to write your name and address
plainly on the package, in order that it may be correctly identified with?
your letter after arrival at this office. 1