1898 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. 
353 
acre. We have many reports of celery netting $2,000 
to the acre, but I have not seen a large field of it pro¬ 
duce at this rate. It is not uncommon to see a car¬ 
load, or two or three for that matter, at the depot in 
Jacksonville en route to the North—Jacksonville be¬ 
ing our basing point for northern markets. 
The Hubbard squash is not grown to any extent in 
the State, because of the many insect and fungous 
enemies that attack it, and the fact that we have 
sweet potatoes which fill the gap much better than 
the Hubbard squash would. Pumpkins and squash 
are grown, however, for local markets, to some ad¬ 
vantage, and may be grown for home use. Irish pota¬ 
toes (potatoes in Florida mean sweet potatoes) may be 
grown in all portions of the State. In that portion of 
Florida where frosts rarely occur, Irish potatoes are 
planted any time between November and January, 
being planted with a view to meeting a certain mar¬ 
ket at a certain time. The early varieties are in 
greater favor than the later ones, because they mature 
in less time, consequently are less subject to diseases 
and insects. The crop is usually planted to come in 
after people have grown tired of the old potatoes of 
the North, and before the new potatoes of Georgia 
and Louisiana are ready for shipping. Before the late 
insurrection in Cuba, great quantities of potatoes 
found their destination on that Island, Havana being 
a better market than New York. For home consump¬ 
tion, we plant a second crop of Irish potatoes, which 
matures just after the fix-st has been exhausted, about 
October or November. 
Insect Enemies of Potato Beetles. 
E. Cf. R., Valley Stream, N. V. —In removin'? Colorado beetles 
from egg plants, I found a bug (which I forward under separate 
cover) feeding on the eggs of the beetles. Since its capture, I 
have fed it the eggs, and it seems to have a voracious appetite 
for them. What is its name ? Is the fact known that this is its 
habit? 
ANSWERED BY M. V. 8LINGERLAND. 
The native home of the “ potato bug ” or Colorado 
potato beetle is in the Rocky Mountains, where a few of 
them yet feed contentedly upon a wild species of Sola- 
num, or potato-like plant. A “bug-hunter” first 
found the insect on its native heath in 1824. It was 
not then, neither is it said to be now, especially num¬ 
erous in its native home, where the normal equilib¬ 
rium of nature, so far as this insect is concerned, is, 
doubtless, maintained by the limit to its food supply, 
and possibly by other agencies, among which may be 
some natural enemies. It was entirely man’s fault 
that this equilibrium was disturbed, which has finally 
resulted in the introduction into almost every potato¬ 
growing region of our country of one of the most de¬ 
structive of our insect pests. When the potato was 
cultivated in the region near the “potato bug’s” home, 
it soon took advantage of this sudden and almost un¬ 
limited addition to its larder or food supply, and its 
eastward march from potato field to potato field over 
the country was but the work of a few years. It 
reached Nebraska in 1859, crossed the Mississippi 
about 1864, reached New York State in 1872, and 
the seaboard two years later. Its eastward progress 
was at the rate of about 88 miles each year. In 1877, a 
few specimens invaded England. At the present time, 
it is an insect pest that can almost invariably be relied 
upon every year to appear and to get the lion's share 
of the crop almost anywhere that potatoes may be 
planted in the country. 
If the Colorado beetle had any effective enemies in 
its native home, it seems to have left them behind. 
But the native predaceous and parasitic insects along 
the line of the eastward march of the pest, soon got a 
taste of the invader, and for many years, it has been 
known that the Colorado beetle had a dozen or more 
enemies among the insects alone, to say nothing of the 
great numbers which often fall a prey to birds, domestic 
fowls and toads. Its insect enemies attack it in all 
stages of its existence, except, possibly, in the quies¬ 
cent pupa stage, which is spent in an earthen cell in 
the ground. It is not uncommon to see one of the 
old “ hard-shells,” as the bettles are commonly called, 
bearing- on varioixs parts of its body minute brown 
mites resembling somewhat the familiar red spider of 
house plants. 
The eggs and fat, plump grubs or young of the Colo¬ 
rado beetle often serve as juicy morsels to a large num¬ 
ber of predaceous insects. Several of the well-known 
Lady-bird beetles and their young, some of the Tiger 
beetles, and the Ground beetles, also, enjoy many a 
feast with “ potato-bug ” eggs for every course on the 
menu. On the leaf bearing the old “hard-shell” in Fig. 
154 is shown one of the grubs or young of a common 
Lady-bird beetle, enjoying a hearty meal of a cluster 
of the eggs. The grubs or young Colorado beetles are, 
also, considered as dainty morsels by several of the 
beetles mentioned above. A little patient watching 
in almost any potato field will reveal several of these 
beetles or their young at their deadly insecticidal work 
on the “ potato bug.” 
Quite often during recent years we have received 
from correspondents specimens of the true sucking 
bugs which have been found with their “ bills ” stuck 
into the eggs or the grubs of “ potato bugs.” Several 
of the StiDk-bxig family include this potato pest in 
their menu. In Fig. 154 are shown two young Colo¬ 
rado beetles whose life is being fast sucked out 
through the beaks of two of these predaceous bugs. 
The smaller of these two is the one most often sent in 
to us. One correspondent, a noted professor of geology, 
aptly described this bloodthirsty enemy and its work 
as follows : 
“ It is a lai'ge bug, something like a bed-bug, and it 
moves quickly on the vines. It comes up to a ‘ potato- 
bug’, thrusts out its proboscis (beak), attacks him 
under the neck, and sticks to him for several minutes, 
apparently sucking the juices out of the ‘ potato-bug ', 
which shrinks and turns dark color, and is finally 
thrown aside as a dilapidated, shriveled corpse. These 
enemies seem to wait until the sun warms up before 
they begin their business. I saw a dozen or so of them ; 
they looked fat, and seemed to clean the bugs from 
the bushes where they are at work. I saw the opera¬ 
tion done as described above, and I can assure you 
that it was done with neatness and dispatch. I should 
think if this ‘ potato-bug-icide ’ could be properly 
cxxltivated, it might quite exxt out the Paris-green from 
the market.” 
If the above graphic description, and the figxxre re¬ 
presenting some phases of life and death in the world 
of that common and well-known insect—the “ potato- 
bxxg ”, shall induce some one to try to see some of these 
interesting things that are every day ocexxrring xxnder 
his eyes or in his neighbor’s garden, then I shall 
feel largely repaid for this effort. 
Almost every year, we hear of localities where the 
“potato-bug” failed to put in an appearance in its 
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE AND ITS ENEMIES. Fig. 15-1. 
accustomed numbers, in fact was noticeably scarce. 
Whether its enemies had gotten the upper hand the 
preceding year or not, it would be impossible to deter¬ 
mine ; but such a possibility is easily probable. We 
confidently look for the time to come, perhaps not in 
our generation, when the enemieg of the Colorado 
potato beetle may become so important a factor in its 
struggle for existence, that it may vary in its numbers, 
or have its “ ups and downs ” from year to year as do 
many of our long-established insect pests, like the 
Pear psylla, or Tent caterpillar, for example. 
" Stock Solution ” of Bordeaux Mixture. 
II. J. C., Jeddo, Mich .—Statements are made of companies that 
offer for sale Bordeaux Mixture in concentrated form, one gallon 
of which is said to be sufficient to make 50, and is put up in 1, 5, 
10, 20 and 45-gallon lots, all ready to be mixed with water, 1 to 50. 
The statement is made that not one farmer in 50 is competent to 
mix Bordeaux as it should be. I have never done any spraying, 
or mixing of material, and would be glad to know more about 
this matter. 
Ans.—A condensed or “ stock solution ” of Bordeaux 
Mixture is just as practical as a condensed form of 
root beer, coffee, or tea. Dozens of such articles are 
sold in concentrated form, requiring only the addi¬ 
tion of water to fit them for use. Last year, Prof. 
Slingerland told us how to prepare these “ stock solu¬ 
tions.” We now repeat his directions. They are 
simple enough for any one : 
“ Place four pounds of fresh, unslaked lime in a con¬ 
venient receptacle, and add at first only a small 
amount of water, preferably hot, and then, as slaking 
begins, add cold water in small amounts as needed, 
never adding much at a time nor ever allowing the 
lime to become dry. When too much water is added, 
small lumps of lime are likely to be covered and remain 
unslaked. When the lime is fully slaked, it should be 
diluted with water slowly while stirring ; four pounds 
of lime is the quantity usually given in the formula, 
but large amounts may be properly slaked as above 
directed and kept in a barrel as a ‘ stock solution,’ if 
it be kept covered with water. Next dissolve six 
pounds of copper sulphate in aboxit six gallons of 
water. This must be done in a wooden or earthen 
dish, and can be the most quickly accomplished if the 
sulphate be suspended in a bag or basket in the top 
of the water. The sulphate may be also conveniently 
dissolved in large quantities in barrels, and kept as a 
1 stock solution’ to be drawn upon as needed. It is 
advisable to dissolve the sxxlphate at the rate of one 
pound in one gallon of water, so that when one dips 
oxxt a gallon of the solution, he knows that he is 
getting one pound of the sulphate. To get the best 
results, these ingredients should be mixed together in 
a certain way. Let us suppose that we are making a 
barrel (50 gallons) of Bordeaux Mixture. Slake the 
required four pounds of lime properly, and pour it all 
into the barrel ; then add water until the barrel is 
nearly full. Dip out six gallons (containing six 
pounds) of copper sulphate solution from your ‘stock ’ 
barrel into another barrel and dilute the six gallons 
with nearly half a barrel of water. Now pour the 
diluted half barrel of sulphate into the half barrel of 
lime, and stir constantly while adding. If stronger 
solutions of the lime and sulphate are mixed, a coarser- 
grained Bordeaux Mixture will result which will, also, 
settle sooner, thus requiring more stirring, and it will 
be more liable to clog the nozzle in spraying. 
Nitrogen on Melons. 
I). C. S., Rockford, III.—In growing melons, I use two or three 
handfuls of wood ashes around the hill before hoeing, and intend 
to apply nitrate of soda and superphosphate this year. I had 
intended to apply about one ounce of each to a hill, mak- 
ing.two applications of equal amounts just before each hoeing. 
Wonld this be too much nitrate to use ? 
Ans. —No, we think not. We consider it wise to 
divide the application of nitrogen in this way, espe¬ 
cially for a crop like melons. 
What is in the Fertilizer ? 
II. B. K., Norwich, Conn. —How can I get the cost of this fer¬ 
tilizer, the analysis of which is given below ? I paid $28 a ton 
for it. I can’t seem to get the amount of phosphoric acid it con¬ 
tains. How much muriate of potash shall I add to get 11 per 
cent? I shall use the fertilizer for potatoes: Moisture, 5 to 7 per 
cent; nitrogen, 2.47 to 3.49; ammonia, 3 to 4; total phosphoric 
acid, 8 to 10; equal bone phosphate, 17 to21; available phosphoric 
acid, 6 to 8; water soluble acid, 4 to 6; potash phosphate, 3.70 to 
5.50; potash, K-iO, 2 to 3. 
Ans. —All that this analysis guarantees is six per 
cent or 120 pounds of available phosphoric acid. As 
it stands, the analysis guarantees, in round numbers, 
50 pounds of nitrogen, 120 pounds of phosphoric acid, 
and 40 pounds of potash. By adding 400 pounds of 
muriate of potash, it woxxld bring your analysis up to 
nearly 11 per cent, but of course you will reduce the 
percentage of nitrogen and phosphoric acid slightly 
by doing so. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
Dishorning Young Hulls.—-A. R., Limerick, Pa.—A bull seven 
months old is not too young to dishorn. The best time to dishorn 
is before the horns grow, in other words prevent their growth by 
means of the caustic-potash treatment. There is no reason why 
they need not be cut off in the case of the bull. 
Turnips as Green Manure.—F. C., Maine.—A crop of turnips 
will supply a large amount of humus in a short time. You may 
sow them early in spring, pick the best for sale, plow under the 
rest in July, and sow to Crimson clover or rye. We would not 
advise you to set cabbage plants on land where turnips have 
been plowed under. Diseases of turnips and cabbage are quite 
similar. 
Clipping Melons.—Reader, Sikeston, Mo.—Our investigations 
show that the pinching or pruning is not practiced by growers 
who produce melons on a large scale. It seems to be practiced 
largely by small growers or market gardeners. There seems to 
be no doubt as to its value, but the large growers question 
whether it would pay to employ the labor necessary to pinch 
large areas of melons. 
Subsoiling and Lime for Clay Soils.— C. W. S., Steuben County, 
N. Y.—The chances are that deep subsoiling at the time of plow - 
ing for buckwheat would help this field. We would run the sub¬ 
soil plow in the furrow behind the turning plow. A ton of lime 
per acre harrowed into the upper soil will, also, prove useful. 
Lime on clay soils binds the fine particles together, thus making 
the soil coarser and more open for both air and moisture. This 
gives better drainage and a warmer soil. 
A Granary of Stone.—M. II. S., Allen, N. Y.—We believe that 
it would be unwise to build a granary in such a manner that the 
grain would be stored in direct contact with the stone wall. In 
case the granary be built of stone, we would recommend that it 
be sided with one-inch matched pine. When the wall is being 
constructed, insert in the wall some six-inch boards with the 
edge toward the face of the wall. These can be used to nail the 
siding to. Built in this way, the grain will not come in contact 
with the stones. 
Sawdust for Bedding.—W. A. McD., Frankford, Ind.—We are 
using, at the present time, fresh planer shavings for hog bedding, 
and find them very satisfactory. Fresh sawdust and shavings 
contain considerable acid, and should not be used fresh as 
manure. When well mixed and wet in the manure pile, the acid 
is neutralized by the ammonia, and when this has happened, no 
injury will result from their use. Our experience is that the hogs 
will work over the shavings and sawdust very thoroughly, so that 
within two or three months, they will be turned Into reasonably 
good manure which can be used on grass or grain with good effect. 
Balanced Ration with Grass.—H. A. G., Bridgehampton, N. Y. 
—Good pasture grass or green fodder such as you describe is 
actually a balanced ration of itself. We would not feed bran, 
ground oats or linseed meal to cows at pasture. Corn meal, 
cotton-seed meal or buckwheat middlings we consider best for 
grazing cows. A mixture of one part cocton-seed meal and three 
parts corn meal ought to give good results. Be careful about 
feeding cotton-seed meal at first, and do not feed over two pounds 
per day in any event. We would not feed cotton-seed meal at all 
except where cows are grazing, or are fed upon ensilage or 
roots. When fed with some such laxative feed, it is certainly 
very valuable dairy food. 
