Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 June 1877 — Potato Bugs. [ARTICLE]

Potato Bugs.

Joseph Harris, in bis talk with the deacon, in the Amercan Cultivator writes as follows of the bugs: The potatoes are just coming through the soil, and the hogs are promptly on hand. The first plant I examined had six beetles on it, and I concluded not to look any farther. There is nothing for it bat Paris-green. Last year I mixed the Parisgreen with cheap wheat flour ,- —about four pounds to the barrel of flour— and dusted it on all the plants when the dew was on. we made our dusters out of old starch boxes. VVe cut out about half the bottom of each box and tack on wire cloth. Then we nail a handle on the top of the box, and the thing was complete and answered the purpose very well. The sliding cover to the box is quite convenient, as it is easy to open and shat in filling. A nail holds it to its place. “Is is better,” said the Deacon, “to mix the Paris-green with water and put it on with a whisp broom or & wateringI tried both plans lasi year, and thought the sprinkling with water, was the most effective. When water is convenient t should certainly prefer it to using floor or gypsum. The real point is to commence earlv enough, that is, as soon as tLe eggs begin to hatch out on the leaves. “It is a great bother,” said the Deacon, “but it will do no good to grumble. We must fight if we would win.” *‘Yes,” said I, “and to fight

successfully we mu9t study the habits of the weeds and insects if we wish to conquer. Science will help us so far, and the rest will depend on onr forethought, skill, energy and perseverance. There is a great deal of work to be done in the world, bat there are a great many people to do it. There is work enough to keep U 9 all usefully occupied.”