INSECTS AFFECTING PARK AND WOODLAND TREES 32 I 



ducted by Professor Lowe lias shown Uial fairly salisfaclory results could 

 be obtained by the use of these c()ni|)ouniU. '1 he smooth surface of the 

 willows mars the efficiency of this application because the poisoned litpiid 

 has a tendeiic)' to roll from the foliaj^i; and colleri in ilrojis. The habits 

 of the beetles anil i^rubs of leedins^ on the under surlace to a ^ri-at e.\tt:nt, 

 makes it difficult to put the poison where they must eat it or ^o hun^r\'. 

 In all probabilit)', a hea\^y. application of arsenate of lead \ery early in the 

 season, w'ould i^iNc the best results. Despiti- the fact that spraxin^;' is 

 cheaper than collecting' the beetles, the willow throwers have come to 

 depend largely on the latter method of |)reventine- injury. .Several 

 ingenious devices for the collection of these insects by hand or horse power, 

 have been constructed. They are known as "bug catchers" to tlu' willow 

 growers, and consist essentially of a wooden trough about 20 inches broad 

 and 4 feet long, on rimners and with the; sides and ends 8 inches high. 

 Plough or other handles are fastened to the postc'rior end of the machine, 

 and two diverging arms extend forward and outward at acute angles. 

 These arms are designed to catt:h the tops of the willows, and bend them 

 over the trough, the bottom of which is water-tight and contains kerosene 

 and water. Vhc. arms for bending the willows o\'er can be adjusted to 

 various hights so as to accomuKjdate willows at all stages of growth. 1 lu; 

 splashing of oil and water is prevented !))• several trans\'ers(; and longi- 

 tudinal ])artitions in the bottom of the bug catcher. The hand machine; is 

 pushetl o\-er the held and the tips of the willows are caught by the divc:rg- 

 ing arms, bent and the agitation shakes the insect olf. Iht! hand device is 

 more efficient than that drawn by a horse, sim|)l\- because the animal ]>n-- 

 cedes the machine and frightens the insects so that many fall before the 

 bug catcher can be brought untlc-r the willows. The former is difficult to 

 operate and is emplo\-ed only on smaller ])atches. It would seem possible 

 to construct on(! considerably lighter than either of the forms described, 

 and in that event the larger and im[)roved apparatus might jje operated by 

 hand with conijtarative ease. 



