Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1874 — Killing Weevils in Peas and Beaus. [ARTICLE]

Killing Weevils in Peas and Beaus.

Every farmer who has cultivated peas and attempted to keep some through winter for seed knows what are called “pea bugs,” which, by the way, is not a hug, but a small gray beetle, known to entomologist -• as Bntckui jputf-, Linn, or in some late usts as Mylubris pint. 'When gathering tise peas in lhll the presence of an inse. t iu the pea is not noticed, although it , is there nevertheless, but in liminxya or grub state,, which uiHlergues, its transformation during the winter anil comes forth a beetle at the approach ui warm weather in spring. There are very lew localities where peas are not attacked by this pest; and although it does little harm to the crop if gathered green for market, when kept for seed their depredations become quite apparent. Another species {Bruchu* obtoleti it — Say) attacks beans in the same manner, but instead of one beetle in each seed, as is generally the case with the pea. there are several; sometimes twenty or more will be found in one bean. This insect attacks all the varieties, but it Ts not quite as abundant in the Northern as in the Middle* and Southern States. But they are becoming more numerous every year, and unless soon checked it will be difficult to obtain sound beans for seed. Now it must be evident that if these insects are ever to become less in numbers efficient and persistent eiiorts must be resorted to by ali who cultivate peas and beans. Perhaps the most certain method of destroying is to thoroughly dry the seed soon after gathering and then put away in air-tight vessels, putting in a quantity of gum camphor, say a half pound to a barrel —some old cloths soaked in spirits of turpentine placed in the bottom of the barrel will usually answer the same purpose. It is now the season to attend to this matter, and everyone who has peas or beans to put away for seed next year should endeavor to destroys.'whatever insects they n ay contain.— Yorker.