534 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE IN GERMANY. 



Translated from the German by G. H. Hecke. 



Some disquieting things have spread these days from Northern Han- 

 over throughout the land. The Colorado potato beetle has been found 

 again. Since the year 1878 this dangerous leaf beetle has not been seen. 

 Ten years before that period it had been first introduced from America. 



In consideration of the danger of this insect to our local potato in- 

 dustry, in former years the broadest safety measures were taken, and our 

 authorities succeeded in absolutely eradicating it by 1878. The authori- 

 ties are now endeavoring with all energy to again exterminate this evil 

 in its beginning. 



The beetle was found first in three fields, located very closely to one 

 another. In the mean time a new field, separate from the other fields, 

 has been attacked, so that we may consider that this dangerous beetle 

 has spread over further territories. 



The authorities proceeded in this manner : The passing over attacked 

 fields was strictly forbidden, even to the nearest land, and a watch was 

 placed upon the fields. The following day the president requested mili- 

 tary aid of the general commanding in that district, whereupon 300 

 soldiers, under the leadership of a sergeant, were immediately dispatched 

 to hunt on these fields for the beetle, by order of the government com- 

 mission, that had been summoned. Immediately the whole territory 

 upon which the beetle had been found was surrounded with deep ditches 

 the outer sides of which were saturated with coal oil. The potato greens 

 were mowed, thrown in deep holes and covered with benzol. After the 

 fields had been cleared in this way the soil was plowed about six inches 

 deep and saturated with benzol. The owners of the potato fields received 

 as compensation for the loss of the crop a sum that will pay them well. 



The cost of having this beetle eradicated was particularly high, because 

 it would multiply rapidly and cover large territories. So far the ground 

 covered amounts to merely a few acres. 



The authorities think that a banana importer was responsilile for the 

 importation of this beetle, as his merchandise was packed in material 

 that was afterward spread out in the field. 



