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Show Alfalfa Looper Threatens Crop In Iron County Instructor Sharp of Agricul-1 tural College Extension Divi-. sion Sounds Note of Warning SPRING HARROW AND BRUSH DRAG USED Pest is Prevalent All Over State, nnd I'nless Promptly Dealt Willi Will Indict Heavy Loss There seems to be considerable concern about the worms which are stacking the alfalfa, and well there .Mould be, says the Iron County S'ews. Fields that have Mad Hie first crop removed for some linn: Mave not yet started to show green, due to t lie worms keeping t he leaves eaten ), This not only delays the second crop, but increases the (Malices of the third crop being frozen. We need not think that we are tin inly men people and live till of 111' worms, for tin y are in all parts of tin slate, and farmers in most scctioni-are scctioni-are taking steps to rid themselves ot the pest.' The insect is known as the alfalfa Looper, it is of the cut worm varietj and has long been known in the state. The plan suggested My those who have made a study of the question and followed, with good results, by most farmers, is to get the lirst cro off the land as soon a:; possible, thei harrow with a spring tooth af'ei which give a thorough going ovpi with a brush drag. Where alfalfa has not b"en cut it is best to leave a small striy arouud the outside and spray with arsenute of lead, 10 pounds to 100 gallons of water. Use a fine mist spray nnd cover the foliage thoroughly with the-poison. the-poison. This strip should be cut about a week later and burned. If the worm is bothering the corn, or other crops, spraying with arsenate arsen-ate of lead will save them, provided Hie work is done carefully. If they are just entering the corn a strip sprayed around the outside will koep them out, but if (hey are all over the field it will nil necrHHnrily need spraying. spray-ing. There are many types of brush drags yet all are not successful. The plan of tying the buts of a bunch of brush together, makes a drag that in almost worthless, because there Is no means of holding the MtuhM down on tMe ground where they will do tho work intended. In making a successful suc-cessful drag keep the brush as flat as possible. Fasten the buts of the brush separately on too of a pole or plank. They may Me eitMer nailed, bolted or wired into place, and may be made more secure My bolting a pole or plank over the top of them. Weight the brush part of the dragas evenly as possible so as to drive tho brush into (lie hollows and crevices. This may be done by laying a spike tooth Marrow on top of the brush or i log or plank may be -nailed acrobs the drag on which the driver may stand. If this method is followed carefully it will riot only kill the worm but will make a mulch that will conserve all the moisture that is in the land. |