The Bulletix. 43 



of April to lay the dust, but I have noticed for the last few days they (the 

 bugs) are dying; can see them all about in the field dead. Will try the reme- 

 dies you suggest and report. 



On June 6, 1905 (a year later), Dr. Credle wrote: 



* * * My corn crop last year was so completely destroyed by the beetles 

 that I had what was left plowed up the first of June and planted over on the 

 7th and 8th. This last crop was not bothered in the least by them, and I 

 made a good crop. They have been there all winter. When the corn was 

 being housed in December we would often find them under the shuck, eating 

 the corn. * * * They have destroyed corn for me this season, but not 

 so bad as last. The only places they bothered this year to any amount was 

 where I raised hay last year. But they have stopped now, and I don't think 

 they will bother further this season. Several of my neighbors have had to 

 plow up and plant over this season, that were bothered very little last year. I 

 did not use any of the remedies, as I did not have any cause to do so in the last 

 planting. Did not make any observation on the egg-laying habits, but as they 

 seem to bother more where that old dead grass was plowed in, that must 

 have been the place where they laid (very likely!). I am satisfied that they 

 do but little damage after June 1st. 



Dr. Credle also stated that the insects seemed very fond of Irish pota- 

 toes, and that while breaking ground they often found them eating the 

 volunteer potatoes in the spring. 



Mr. J. P. Clark, of Pantego, also wrote (June 2) in 1905, stating that 

 farmers were again troubled with this Cane-beetle ; that some of the land 

 had to be plowed and replanted. 



This time we were able to make some observations in the field. Mr. 

 G. M. Bentley (at that time assistant) was sent to Pantego to examine 

 the conditions. His observations are dated June 14, 1905. The first 

 field examined had been much damaged and replanted, the corn then 

 being nearly 6 feet high ; only a few of the beetles were found, and in- 

 jury was not much in evidence. In the second field the corn had been 

 planted for the third time of the season and was smaller ; a considerable 

 number of the beetles were found eating the young stalks. The third 

 field examined was that of Dr. Credle, from whom we have already 

 quoted. A number of beetles were found (after careful search), as 

 many as five on one stalk, working at, or just beneath, the surface of the 

 ground. Observations in different parts of the field showed that "notice- 

 ably more beetles were at work in a certain portion of the field where 

 'bull-grass' had been plowed in. The beetles were found mating in sev- 

 eral instances." Specimens sent by Dr. Credle, June 9, 1904, were 

 mating in box when received. 



Since the outbreak of 1904 and 1905 in Beaufort County we have had 

 only one complaint, this coming in June, 1912, from Greenville, Pitt 

 County; but there was no indication that the damage was widespread 

 or long continued. 



