Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1874 — Potato Bugs. [ARTICLE]

Potato Bugs.

Editors Union: If not too late, we would say a word on potato bugs, which promise to be more destructive than ever before. Last year many patches were given up to them and they (ncreased in almost endless numbers; and this spring the ground is full of them, and they are already at work destroying the young vines so soon as they show themselves, if not before. If we expect to raise any potatos this year, we must be on the lookout at once—as soon as they come through the ground.— Many of mine have already been cut off, when not more than an inch above the ground. Though they are “an innumerable multitude” I intend, if possible, to beat them. Let them who have faith in baptisms by sprinkling medicated waters over tlic vines, begin at once, but let not much time be wasted in that way. A few days since my wife tried a solution of “blue stone” on a few hills. It did not disturb tjie bug*, but the solution injured the tops. Baptism by immersion of the bug in hot water brings sure salvation. This is my cure : Pick the bugs io some smooth vessel and throw hot water on them, Another sure plan is to take a couple of paddles, two or three inches wide and a foot long, and go through the patch every day, about noon, and crush all that can be seen. Either of these plans will answer, if kept up, as they will decrease every day. But if they are allowed to lay their eggs in great numbers the job of getting rid of them will be serious. They propagate with wonderful rapidity. Kill them from the start, before the vines are covered with eggs, or you may say “farewell potatos.” When men have not time to attend to these things, they had better pay the children so much a quart to pick them like cherries, and a quart of bugs picked and destroyed is worth more to any family than a quart of cherries. Though the bugs travel from place to place on foot and on the wing, yet wo think likely much would be gained by planting at a distance from places occupied by them last year. If Jasper county is Irish enough to desire a potato crop this year, let the people seek inspiration from the religious stanza “Sure I must fight would win,” Ac.

S. W. RITCHEY.