Protect corn from a tiny but fierce pest with early 20th-century tests of repellents that aim to keep ants and aphids away from the roots.
This edition reports Stephen A. Forbes’s experiments on the corn root-aphis, a destructive pest that thrives with help from the corn-field ant. It outlines how scientists tested a wide range of substances, from kerosene and oils to chemical solutions, to see which could guard young corn without harming the plant. The work combines field trials and insectarium results to explore practical, long‑lasting protection strategies.
- Learn how repellents were tested in plots and fields, with careful notes on timing, preparation, and plant response.
- See which substances showed promise in keeping ants and aphids away from corn roots, and where results varied by environment and moisture.
- Understand the ongoing balance between protecting young plants and avoiding seed damage or poor germination.
- Get a glimpse of the broader takeaways on managing root pests through rotation and targeted treatments.
Ideal for readers interested in agricultural history, early pest control methods, and the practical challenges of protecting corn crops from root pests.