Among the various methods being advocated for the control of the European corn borer are those by mechanical means, one of which is the cutting of corn low, or within 2 inches of the ground surface. Investigations by entomologists indicate that corn cut at ground level contains over 99 per cent of the borers in the whole plant. Proper treatment, therefore, of the resulting fodder—such as ensiling or effective shredding—would result in practically complete destruction of the borers.

The standard corn binder leaves stubble from 4 to 6 inches high. The borers left in this stubble may greatly increase the intensity of infestation the following year. Entomologists have found 10 per cent of all the borers in the whole plant located within 6 inches of the ground. [This is poorly worded. I believe the author meant that 10 percent of all borers were found ABOVE 6 inches from the ground. -ASC]

Efforts during the past two or three years toward devising a satisfactory, yet economical, method of low-cutting corn have resulted in the development of the stationary low-cutting attachment for corn binders. This consists essentially of a flat, stationary knife, an elevating shield, extension butt gatherer chains, and extra throat springs.

FIGURE 54.—Cutting corn with binder equipped with stationary knife, low-cutting attachment. Corn on left of machine cut with standard binder.

FIGURE 55.—Two rows cut with standard binder; balance with stationary knife, low-cutting attachment

The flat knife, sharpened on a 2-inch taper on the under forward edge and mounted 4 inches below the gatherer angles for clearance, cuts the stalks at ground level as the binder is pulled along. A slight outward curvature (51-inch radius) is given to the knife to insure better cutting and clearing of trash. The side knives are slightly cut away to permit, the installation of the shield which elevates the stalks and prevents them from being cut a second time. Sufficient throat space is left at the side of the elevating shield for weeds to pass to the reciprocating knife and be cut so as to prevent clogging.

Extension butt gatherer chains pull the butts up the shield so as to maintain the vertical position of the stalk. If the butts were retarded, as would otherwise occur, throat clogging with stalks would result. Extra throat springs press the stalks positively against the chains so their lugs will more effectively elevate them. The butt throat spring keeps the butts on the elevating shield and prevents their getting into the weed throat where second cutting would occur.

Repeated tests on cornstalks growing in a wide variety of soil conditions, in foul soil rank with weeds, and in fact in any soil which would support a stalk and where any other binder would be used, have shown satisfactory performance. Binders fitted with these attachments, operated by farmers and pulled by either horses or tractors, have proved effective. (Figs. 54 and 55.)

To date, these attachments have been worked out for only two of the well-known makes of binders. Attachments for others are in the process of development. As the farmer can make these devices himself, or will shortly be able to obtain them from the respective binder manufacturers, an important step has been made in controlling the corn borer by mechanical means.