CORN 



European corn borer survival has been quite high in Illinois this winter. Several county 

 Extension advisers report survival ranges of 70 to 90 percent, with the highest ones in 

 northern and southern Illinois. It now appears that weather and farm practices may well 

 determine the extent of the corn borer problem this summer. 



Plow corn stalks cleanly. If they are not plowed, then disk or shred the stalks thorough^ 

 to provide some help in killing these overwintering borers. Plant adapted hybrids. Since 

 the earlier, more-mature corn in late June and early July is most susceptible to damage by 

 first-generation corn borer, farmers who plant early should be prepared to use insecticide: 

 for control. 



For corn seed beetles and maggots , the extent of resistance to aldrin and heptachlor still 

 poses a problem. These two pests can reduce stands as they eat out the heart of the seed 

 or cut the small sprouts. We suggest that those using aldrin or heptachlor as a soil 

 treatment should also use diazinon as a seed treatment. However, when using planter-box 

 seed treatments , empty the planter boxes frequently to prevent buildup on the plates or th 

 accumulation of excess dust in the planter boxes. Either one can reduce seeding rates. 

 Use no less than 4 ounces of 25-percent or 3 ounces of 33.3-percent diazinon seed treatmen 

 per bushel of seed. Two ounces of 25-percent (or less) diazinon will probably not be suf- 

 ficient to control these seed pests, particularly the corn seed beetles. 



HOME GARDEN 



Soil insects : Some home gardeners still apply such insecticides as aldrin, heptachlor, 



dieldrin, or others to the garden and work it into the soil before planting. However, the 



rates they use are often dangerously high. To avoid problems, we recommend the use of 



diazinon at 1 ounce of the actual chemical to 1,000 square feet (an area 25 by 40 feet). 



This is 1/4 pint of 25-percent concentrate in enough water to cover the area. Rake it int 

 the soil immediately. 



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WEEDS 

 FORAGE CROPS 



Eptam (EPTC) can be incorporated before planting alfalfa, lespedeza, and birdsfoot trefoil 

 to control annual grasses --when the legumes are sown without a companion crop and without 

 grasses in the mixture. Apply 3 pounds (a half gallon) of the herbicide and immediately 

 mix to a depth of about 2 inches by disking before seeding the legume. Do not graze or 

 feed treated legumes for 60 days after treatment. 



Balan can be used in a similar manner. Balan is approved for alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, 

 red, alsike, and ladino clovers. 



2,4-DB may be used to control broadleaved weeds (wild mustard, pigweed, and lambsquarter) 

 in new seedings of alfalfa, red clover, ladino clover, alsike clover, or birdsfoot trefoil- 

 when seeded alone or with oats, wheat, or barley. Apply 1/2 to 1-1/2 pounds of 2,4-DB 

 amine per acre or 1/2 to 3/4 pounds of ester, when the weed's are less than 3 inches high. 

 No portion of a treated crop should be fed to livestock within 30 days of application. 

 2,4-DB may also be used in established forages. 



Dowpon (Dalapon) has been used successfully to kill young grass seedlings in seedling 

 stands of alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil that are not seeded with small grain or grasses. 

 Use 2 to 3 pounds of the commercial preparation per acre, when weed grasses have about 



