THE POTATO-TUBER MOTH. 3 
Aside from numerous similar complaints, including the usual num- 
ber from California for the past two years, this species has been re- 
ceived from Eagle Lake and Hallettsville, Tex.; San Jose, Costa Rica; 
Seattle, Auburn, and Yakima,Wash.; New York City, where it has not 
become acclimatized so far as known; Fort Collins, Colo.; and Lari- 
more, N. Dak. These records include only occurrences on potato. 
In the case of the last report the tuber moth was stated to have 
been imported into southern California in potatoes from China. It is 
doubtful if the species has been introduced into North Dakota, but 
inquiries have been made in regard to the danger of its being intro- 
duced there as well as into Minnesota and some other States. 
REMEDIES. 
The potato-tuber moth is a difficult insect to control. It is not 
possible to reach the tuber worms in their mines in the potatoes or in 
the stalks or tubers growing in the field, which makes it necessary to 
proceed against the pest by other methods. Of these, several must be 
employed to imsure success. 
The first measure consists in the maintenance of clean methods of 
cultivation. This implies that all infested potato plants and solana- 
ceous weeds, such as ground cherry, bull nettles, horse nettles, and 
volunteer potato plants, growing in the same vicinity as the potatoes, 
must be destroyed.” This can be done by prompt burning as soon 
as insect infestation is manifest. The burning of the weeds will 
eliminate places for the breeding of the insect or for its successful 
hibernation. Domestic animals such as sheep and hogs are valuable - 
for the destruction of remnants and may be utilized by merely turn- 
ing them into the field. 
Crop rotation, as in most other cases of insect injury, is desirable 
where possible, and the cooperation of all potato growers of the neigh- 
borhood is practically a necessity. In certain cases, as, for example, 
in a county where many potatoes are grown, it might be possible by 
legislation to enforce the discontinuance of potato planting fora year, 
requiring at the same time the destruction of the weeds which serve as 
food plants. There are several alternate food crops which do not 
suffer materially from this insect. About the best of these are 
leguminous crops, like beans, peas, cowpeas, alfalfa, and clover. 
These possess a dual value, as they all act as soil restorers. Sugar 
beets, celery, and crucifers are also good as alternate food crops. 
Grains may serve in the same way, as they are not attacked by the 
tuber moth. Care in digging is advisable in order not to cut into the 
tuber or leave dug potatoes in the field over night where reinfestation 
could occur. 
FUMIGATION, 
While all of these remedies are of value, the best remedy is the 
fumigation of infested tubers with bisulphid of carbon or hydrocyanic- 
