Pages past - July 6

On this date ...

1978: Spider mites had infested corn fields in eastern New Mexico, Extension Agent Billy Dictson confirmed.

"The small spiders begin weaving their web on the lower portion of the corn stalk and work their way up, sucking the life from the plant and suffocating the leaves," the Clovis News-Journal reported.

Insecticides were sprayed in effort to reduce damage, but officials said the best way to combat the disease was with "cloudy, rainy days," which had been in short supply.

Corn grower Don Pemberton said he had already watered some of his fields eight times.

Ag officials said the spider mites had reduced Curry County's corn crop by 25 percent in 1977. They urged growers to be on the lookout because early detection could reduce the impact.

Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact him at:

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