1880.J 



THE LANCASTER FARMER. 



93 



rSE ARMT WORM UESCRIBKn. 



The true array worm, when fully irrowii, is fully 

 1% inches In lcni,'th, and is striped leni^lhwiee with 

 black, dull swarthy green, and yellowish lines, iiitcr- 

 lineated with niari;inal white huir-linee. The head 

 is light, or yellowish brown, and has two hlaekish 

 bent lines on the face. It has sixteen feet— six 

 small blaek ones in front, eifcht Oeshy ones alouif the 

 middle part and two at the hinder cud. On the out- 

 sides of tlie eiyiit intermediate feet are conspicuously 

 a blaek spot on each. The body of the moth is 

 stout, and it is nearly or quite two inches across the 

 expanded winfrs. The liont wings are of a dull or 

 dirty yellowish color— variable, however, in intensity 

 — faintly sprinkled with blackish dots. There is a 

 siufrle kidney-shaped spot, more eons|iicu<ms than 

 any other spots, about the outer third of the front 

 wintcs, from which tlie moth derives the specific 

 name, utdpuncla. The hind win(;s arc partly trans- 

 parent, wilh a smoky and purplish appearance ; the 

 whole, with other markings, not essential, except in 

 a purely scientific description. The front and pos- 

 terior parts ol the body are assimilated in color to 

 the wings. 



ITS ENEMIES. 



The army worm has several natural enemies 

 which, no doubt, do much in lessening ils numbers, 

 and it may also be alTccted by weather contingencies; 

 hence, one season it may be very abundant, and 

 then not noticeable again for many years. Hogs are 

 very fond of the larva and the pupa, and it is pre- 

 sumable that many are destroyed by birds, as it 

 usually occurs about their hatching season. 



Nearly a dozen species of insect parasites have 

 been deserbed as infesting it, conspicuous among 

 which are six species of " cuckoo flies ;" and at least 

 two species of " Taehina flies." Possibly many that 

 go into the earth to pu(>ate never come forth again. 



comiifete success : About three weeks before we 

 wished to set the tobacco |)laut we plowed our to- 

 bacco field and before harrowing it sowed about 

 three bushels of buckwheat to the acre, and then 

 inimediately proceeded to mark out the rows and 

 make the 'spats' or hills for setting. By the time we 

 wished to set the tobacco plant the buckwheat had 

 grown to be about the same size of the tobacco 

 plant , and was found In the same hill, 'spat,' or place 

 where the tobacco plant was to be set. This was no 

 annoyance. We set our tobacco and^awaited the 

 result. We found that the cut worm was just as 

 fond of young ami fresh buckwheat stalks as it was 

 of tobacco, and there being three hundred stalks of 

 buckwheat to one of tobacco the chances for the 

 protection of the tobacco plants were in that propor- 

 tion. In about two weeks the buckwheat was re- 

 moved from between the rows, and In a week more 

 from around the hill, and the danger was over ; the 

 cut worm had outlived his virulence and was ready 

 to die by the heat of the sun. The field of tobacco 

 was even, it ripened at the same time and could be 

 harvested and taken care of at the same period, and 

 brought a better price in the market on tliat account. 



Insects, and How to Fight Them. 



Ants. — When these insects are troublesome in the 

 garden, fill small bottles two-thirds with water, and 

 then add sweet oil to within an inch of the top ; 

 plunge these into the ground near the nest or hill to 

 within half an inch of the rim, and the insects com- 

 ing for a sip will get into the oil and perish, as it 

 fills the breathing pores. The writer once entrapped 

 in a pantry, myriads of red ants in a shallow tin 

 cover smeared with lard, the vessel having acci- 

 dentally been left in their track. Another means of 

 entrapping them, suggested to me by Prof, (ilover 

 many years ago, is to sprinkle sugar into a dampened 

 sponge near tlieir haunts to attract the insects. 

 When they have swarmed through the sponge it is 

 squeezed in hot water, and the trap is reset until the 

 majority of the insects are killed. 



Ulugn. — English gardeners place haudfuls of bran 

 at intervals of eight or ten feet along the border of 

 garden walks. The slugs are attracted to the bran, 

 and in the morning each little heap is found covered 

 with them. The ground is then gone over again, 

 this time the operator providing himself with a dust- 

 pan and small broom, and an empty bucket ; and it 

 is an easy matter to sweep up the little heaps, and 

 empty them, slugs and all, into the bucket. In this 

 way, many hundreds have been taken in a single 

 walk ; and If a little salt and water be placed on the 

 bottom of the bucket, the slugs coming in contact 

 with it are almost instantly destroyed. 



Cut Worms. — Where cut worms are troublesome 

 in the field a very old, and at the same time a very 

 good remedy, is to entrap them in boles made near 

 the plants, or in bills, if in the corn field. An old 

 rake-handle, tapered at the end, so as to make a 

 smooth hole five or six inches deep, or more, will 

 answer very well for this purpose. In the morning 

 the worms that have taken refuge in these holes 

 may be crushed by thrusting the rake-handle into 

 them again, and the "trap" is set for the next night. 

 It is always well in planting to make provi«ion for 

 the loss of a stalk or two, by cut worms or other 

 causes, as it is easier to thin out than to replant. 



^fay Beetles. — These are the perfect insects of the 

 while grub, so destructive to lawns and sometimes 

 to meadows. A French p'an for destroying, or rather 

 catching, the cockchafer (a very similar insect), is 

 to place in the centre of the orchard, after sunset, 

 an old barrel, the inside of which has been previous- 

 ly tarred. At the iiottom of the barrel is placed a 

 lighted lamp, and the insects, in circling around to 

 gel at the light, strike their wings and legs against 

 the tarred sides of the barrel and either get fast or 

 are rendered so helpless that they fall to the bottom. 

 Ten gallons of beetles have beeu captured in this 

 way in a single night. 



The Tobacco \A^orm. 

 A writer in theBIossburg luihistrial Jiegixler SAyi : 

 "In our younger days we had considerable experi- 

 ence in the growing of tobacco. We found that the 

 common cut worm was the greatest enemy of the 

 young plant, often making such severe attacks that 

 we were obliged to rest several times, thereby mak 

 ing the crop very uneven. In order to circumvent 

 this malicious and voracious enemy of the tobacco 

 plant we adopted the following plan, which was a 



Ravages of the Army Worm in New Jersey. 

 Red Bank, N. J., June 7. — The newly arrived 

 pest, the army worm, which has just put in an 

 appearance here, is completing the terrible destruc- 

 tion commenced by the great drouth. A.S soon as 

 the worm was discovered active measures were taken 

 to stop its progress, but at first it was not recognized 

 In its proper character, and the same method used 

 in fighting the potato bug was used to destroy the 

 army worm. Reports from Long Branch, Mechanics- 

 ville, Morrisville, Shrewsbury, Middletown and Tin- 

 ton's Kails say that the ravages made by this insect 

 have been very severe. It is reported that acres of 

 timothy belonging to (ieo. Hance, at Tinton's Kails, 

 were destroyed in one night. On the farms of 

 Samuel Hendriekson, near Rumson, and George 

 Stillwell, at Shrewsbury, the damage is very great. 

 About Freehold and Marlborough, and on towards 

 Keyport, the worms are found in great numbers, 

 and move in solid phalanx. When once they attack 

 a wheat, rye, corn or grass field they do not jiassout 

 of it until they l.ave left nothing edible in it. The 

 worms for some cause avoid clover fields, but will 

 strip a timothy field quicker than a mowing machine. 

 The greatest depredations are reported at New Bed- 

 ford. There the farmers are reported as being un- 

 able to cope with the scourge. The ajipearanee of 

 the worm was sudden, and it was not recognized, 

 twenty years having elapsed since the army worm 

 last visited this region. — Baltimore Him. 



Agriculture. 



in Berks. 



Something a Farmer Should Know. 



As a general thing the farmer is liable for all tile 

 public injury his hired man may cause while actually 

 cmjiloyed by him. If he sends him Into his lotto 

 burn old bush, and he, for any purpose whatever, 

 leaves it and the fire runs Into his neighbor's lot, de- 

 stroying his fence and injuring his crops, the farmer 

 Is liable lor the damages caused by the wanton ne- 

 glect of his man. If lie sends a hired man on to the 

 road with a team and he by negligence runs Into 

 another vehicle ami injures It, orthe person who may 

 be in it, the farmer is liable for the damages; but 

 should the hired man leave the road he was directed 

 to go and travel another road for his own pleasure 

 or profit, then the farmer would not be liable for 

 damages should any aeelih^nt occur. If a hired man, 

 in going to or from I he lot with a scyllie, and by the 

 careless handling or carrying he injures a passer- 

 by, the farmer is liable for the damages. If In cut- 

 ting wood the hired man cuts down a tree In another 

 lot the owner is liable for trespass and damages, al- 

 though he distinctly showed him the boundary, and 

 though the man may have cut the tree with mali- 

 cious intent. Should the hired man, from malicious- 

 ness, run into a team, even if It block his way, yet the 

 farmer must pay the damage, though done contrary 

 to his positive orders. In all these eases the farmer 

 can compel the hired man to pay him back if he has 

 anything to pay wilh; but this is rarely the case 

 unless the farmer keeps back his wages and only 

 settles when his time expiree. 



Fruit and Grain Prospects 



The fruit and grain prospects in Berks arc very 

 promising. This is the news from all quarters. 

 From Upper Bern, a Timea and JJis/ialch correspon- 

 dent writes thus : The fruit crop, from present 

 aiijiearances, will be very heavy. Aiiple trees never 

 blossomed so much as this spring, ami the trees are 

 all in a healtliy condition. If the apple crop will 

 turn out as the indications are at preseu, thousands 

 of bushels will be harvested in this section of Upper 

 Bern ; but while apple trees bloom so profusely, 

 pear trees do not, and only a very light crop can be 

 gathered. Peach and all kinds of plum trees were 

 covered with flowers, and the indications at present 

 arc that the crop will be very large. Frost has done 

 no damage to the peach and plum crops. Cherries, 

 it Is thought, have suffered most during the recent 

 cold spell, although the trees are all covered with 

 flowers. No heavy crop is expected. Quince trees 

 will also bloom profusely, and a large and paying 

 crop4B expected. Strawberry buds appear very en- 

 couraging, and even the wild plants in fence corners 

 are literally covered with blossoms. Nothing can 

 as yet be said about blacklierrics and raspberries, 

 but it is thought that a good crop can be harvested. 

 Grapevines are somewhat backward this spring, but 

 they may yield a good crop. All indications point 

 to heavy fruit crops in this seclion and all over 

 northern Berks. Our farmers in this and adjoining 

 townships are busy at preparing their laud for this 

 season's corn crops. Some have already planted a 

 good deal of corn. Early potatoes look promising, 

 ami the bugs, it seems, do not make much headway 

 this season, at least they have made no trouble thus 

 far. The wheat crop looks siilendid, and the hearts 

 of farmers arc gladened over the prospect of a good 

 harvest this year. If nothing unforseen happens, 

 the wheat crop will be the heaviest harvested In this 

 section for many years. Rye did not look very en- 

 couraging early in the spring, but the crop has of 

 late recovered, so that a moderate good crop is ex- 

 pected. Oats look well, and needs only good weather 

 for a paying crop. Grass on stubble land don't look 

 well, and will not yield a heavy crop of hay or pas- 

 ture : in old fields it will, with favorable weather, 

 yield a heavy crop. If all things are taken into con- 

 sideration, our farmers have at present no cause of 

 complaining. 



Improved Method. 

 Farming, of all occuiiations. Is siisee|)liblc of tlie 

 greatest advance through a thorough study and 

 knowleilge of nature's forces and workings. An 

 hour's thougbl and phmuiiig may save a day's hard 

 work. A single principle, well understood, may de- 

 ti'miinc a course that will double the crop or divide 

 the expense of cultivalion. As brain is superior to 

 muscle, so is an imiirovcd method in advance of some 

 clumsy and expensive way of accomplishing the 

 same result. Let every farmer resolve from this day 

 to give to his occupation more thought and study, 

 more experiment and investigation. Let him deter- 

 mine to understand nature better, and not rest con- 

 tent with misdirected force, or' wilh such labors as 

 are not guided by the best lights of modern science 

 and investigation. 



Washing of Hill-Sidcs. 



One of the most successful methods of |ircveuting 

 serious damage from washing of cultivated hill-sides 

 during heavy storms, is to terrace the hill by plow- 

 ing. At short intervals two or three furrows of the 

 soil are turned down hill, thus making a nearly level 

 bank at short distances, as you (lass down the slope. 

 The last furrow makes a channel in which the down- 

 ward water is caught, and may be carried off at one 

 side of the hill— at any rale it" will arrest I he rajiid 

 downward flow and give the water more time to soak 

 into the soil. A hillside, specially given to washing, 

 should be put into grass after being terraced. Wilh 

 terracing and a firm sod as a covering, very little 

 damage may be feared from gullies made by descend- 

 ing water. 



•^^ * 



Haying. 



Clover and timothy should be cut when in full 

 blossom ; if allowed to get ripe the quantity of hay 

 is not so good. By beginning early the work need 

 not be hnrried. Use tlie mower aller the dew is off 

 in the forenoon. Cut only as much as can be. well 

 cared for. It is often remarked that the average 

 quality of hay is not so good as before the introduc- 

 tion of the mowing machines, from the temptation 

 to cut the grass faster than It can be cured. 



Horticulture. 



Root Pruning. 

 One who has thoroughly experimented wilh root 

 pruning, and who evidently understands well the 

 subject', furnishes some valuable information on 

 failure as well as of succest.. As Ihe operation Is to 

 be employed only on trees whose vigorous growth is 

 at the expense of productiveness, Ihe mistake is 

 sometimes made of root pruning trees already loo 

 feeble, and thus increasing the ■liMiculty. The tree 

 becomes still more stunted, and the fruit smaller 

 than before. Failure has resulted whenever the 

 pruning has been performed too late in the spring, 

 or after the buds have swelled or expanded. In 

 other instances the pruning has been too severe, the 

 roots being cut as short on large trees on small ones, 

 without judgment or discretion. The expcrimenls 

 were made on the apple and pear. A vigorous apple 

 tree, eight or ten years old, which had scarcely made 

 any fruit buds, has done best when about half the 

 roots were cut in one season and half three years 

 later, by going half way around on opposite sides iu 

 one year, and finishing at the next pruning— work- 

 ing two leet underneath, to sever downward roots. 

 It has always answered well, also, to cut on such 

 trees, all the larger and longer roots about two and 



