Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1915 — The Corn Root-Aphis. [ARTICLE]

The Corn Root-Aphis.

Thousands- of dollars are lost' to the farmers of Indiana every year by reason' of the depredations of this insect. It belongs to the suckling class or true bugs, and does its work on the roots of the corn plants where it sucks the life out of the plant. Being wholly under ground, it is difficult to reach with insecticides.

These aphids are usually attended by ants, as the latter are very fond of the “honey dew” which is given out by the aphids through two little tubes, which are situated on the back of the adult insect. The ants even gather up the aphid eggs- and store them in their nests where they are cared for during winter. During April-and May, as soon as the smart-weed and foxtail-grass make their appearance, these eggs begin to hatch and the ants carry the aphids and colonize them on the roots of these plants. As soon as the young corn plants are well started, the second brood of lice begins to appear and the ants transfer them to the corn roots where they continue to increase with great rapidity, and to suck the life out of the corn plants. *■ ' . Remedies—-It is evident from the above, that the land seldom becomes infested with these aphids until the second or possibly the third corn crop. If, therefore, a three or four-year rotation is practiced in which, corn appears only once, there will be but little damage done by the insects. Then, too, the proper fertilization of the soil is of great importance, as it often enables the corn to make a crop in spite of the aphids. As the ants protect the eggs in their nests during winter, it is a good plan to plow the field, which is intended for corn the second year, as late in the fall as possible and as deeply as possible, in order to break up the ants’ nests. A couple of good, thorough, deep cultivations during the month of April will also help to hold them in check. This will also assist in destroying the weeds which serve as a starter for the ! aphids in the spring.

Various kinds of materials have been tried with a view to finding { something that would act as a repe-1-lant and so prevent the lice from attacking the plants. We have found that one hundred'pounds of kainit per acre, drilled in the row at the time the corn was planted, served to almost completely protect the plants; but, owing to the European war, it is quite likely that it will be difficult to get kainit this season. Dr. S. A. Forbes of Illinois, has found that by mixing the seed corn with a solution of oil of lemon and wood alcohol, the lice were very much 1 reduced. This Was prepared for use by mixing one part of the oil of lemon with ten parts of alcohol, and three ounces of this mixture was thoroughly mixed with a gallon of corn, fhis did not injure the germination any to speak of. The expense was only about ten cents per acre, At the present j trice of the oil of lemon, the expense w’ould be even less. Either of these remedies is recommended,.especially on black ground, where the aphis is commonly found. J. TROOP, Chief in Entomology Ptirdue Univer- , sity Agricultural Experiment Station.

The Soldier’s Easter Song. Air: Tipperary. Back from gory battle came a soldidr Easter Day. The streets were full of people in their Easter garments gay; Silver bells were ringing in the steeples overhead, The soldier he was wounded, and this is what he said: % “It's a long way to glory, it's a long way to go From the dim and quiet churches where the Easter lilies blow. Good-by to home and comfort, farewell to sweethearts dear, It’s a long, long way to glory, and my heart's right here.”

When the soldier joined the colors he was full of thoughts of fame, But he found among the trenches that they never spoke her name. Coming home upon a furlough with his right arm in a sling, He was strong for peace eternal when the chimes began to ring: “It’s a long way to glory, it's a long way to go The route is marked in crimson with the blood of friend and foe. There’s a girl I want to marry, we have waited ’most a year, It’s a long way to glory when my heart pis here.” “I would rather have a cottage, and a garden and a cow, Than a V. C. on my bosom, and a laurel on my brow. War has. led me through his sham hies till my soul is worn to rags; Give us peace the wide world over, fold away the battle-flags; It's a long way to glory, it’s a long way to go, It’s a long way to glory and the hardest road I know. From the snowy Easter lilies may the dove of peace appear, It's a long, long way to glory, for my heart's right here.” —Leslie’s.