Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

8 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

FARMERSM30I^

THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE.,.

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. The announcement in the daily papers that the Colorado Potato Beetle has been found in full force in some fields near Cologne is unfortunately too likely to be true. It is not long since we heard of its introduction into nermany by means of a vessel „ trading between the United State# and Bremen so. that its appearance near Cologne is nothing "*a|; *M?„,have been expected and its presence in our own potato fieldsmay as- suredly be expected to be announced at any time It behoves nnf .tn (rrnw-pr? then to be on the look-out, and to take such measures as may be deemed most desirable. A\ e have from time S time adverted to this new pest, having derived almost all our LfnmnHnn ™ the subject from the writings of Mr. C. V. Riley, the State Entomologist of Missouri, who has done excellent ser- vice alike to Science and to practical cultivation, by the ex- haustive accounts he has published concerning the nature and habits of this and other insect pests. Mr. Riley's papers are to be found in the annual reports on the noxious, beneficial, and other insects of the State of Missouri, reports which justify the ,in wisdom of our American friends in the establishment of such an office and the still greater wisdom exercised in the selection of a man to fill it. Unfortunately these reports are very acces- sible in this country. True, they may be founfl in some of the libraries, but the number who can thus avail themselves of Mr. Riley's information is but small. The beetle (Doryphora 10- lineata) is particularly objectionable while in the grub or larva stage it not only destroys the Potato haulms, but the juices of the perfect insect have, in some instances at least, proved to be of a venomous character. The ill effects, however, seem to be only produced when large quantities of the insect are crushed, or burnt, or scalded, when the vapours produce the symptoms of poisoning by an acrid or irritant substance. Fortnnately the Americans have discovered a remedy in the shape of Paris-green—"by means of intelligence and a little Paris-green," writes Mr. Riley, the American farmer is pretty much master of the Dorypliora. Now as the Paris-green is a preparation of arsenic (arsenite of copper) and consequently a most dangerous poison, it is evident that a considerable amount of intelligence and no slight degree of care must be used in the employment of this substance, and more especially so :n the kit- chen garden. Still, within the last few years we are told that millions of bushels of potatos have been raised, the leaves of which have been most thoroughly sprinkled with Paris-green without any injurious effect on the tuber, or to persons using pOtatos raised in this manner. The Paris-green requires to be well- mixed with from twenty to thirty parts of flour or water, accord- ing to the mode of use. The quantity which becomes incorpo- rated with the soil is too minute to be of consequence, inasmuch as the substance speedily undergoes decomposition, and becomes converted into an insoluble and harmless substance. The Paris- green could not well collect in sufficient quantities to be di- rectly deleterious to man in the field in any imaginable way, while its injury through the plant is out of the question, for the plant could not absorb enough without being killed. The idea that the earth is being sown with death by those who fight the Colorado potato beetle with this mineral may, therefore, be dismissed as a pure phantasmagoria." The most convenient method of using the Pans green is as follows -A tin can capable of holding about 8 gallons is made of a shape to rest. easily on the back of the labourer, as a knap- sack or Cassiobury fire-engine would do. To the lower end of the can are attached two india-rubber tubes, each terminating in a "sprinkler," like the rose of a watering-pot. There is a convenient lever at the bottom which presses the tubes and shuts off the outflow at will. When about to be used "two bucketfuls of water are first poured into the can, then three tablespoonfuls of good green well mixed with another half- bucketful of water, and strained through a funnel-shaped strainer, which prevents the larger particles of the green from getting into the can and clogging up the sprinklers. Five to eight a^res a day can be sprinkled by one man, and from 1 to 1J lb. of good green, according to the size of the plant, will suffice to the acre. The walking serves to keep the green well shaken, and the flow of liquid is regulated at will by a pressure of the fingers at the junction of the tubes with the metallic nozzles. It may not be amiss to suggest the absolute necessity of using the -can and other implements employed in distributing the Paris-green for no other purpose whatever, and to insist rigor- ously on thorough cleanliness on the part of the workman when his work is done. -Ga)-de)zers' Chronicle.

---MARKET REPORTS.

Trade Intelligence.

IM^RIAI^PARLIAMENT.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE ASSIZES.

jTHE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR

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