August, '22] HARNED AND SMITH: ARGENTINE ANT CONTROL 263 



then estimate the number of cans of poisoned syrup necessary for each 

 block. This is usually between 150 and 200 cans, depending upon the 

 size of the block, the number of trees, and the degree of infestation. 



After the preliminary survey has been made we furnish the city 

 authorities with a detailed estimate of the cost of the Argentine ant 

 campaign. Experience has shown that one of these campaigns will cost 

 about $75 for each thousand cans of syrup that are used — this includes 

 cost of cans, syrup, sponges, freight, express, drayage, labor, lumber, 

 and nails. 



The Plant Board furnishes men to supervise and to do a large part 

 of the actual work. The city pays for everything except the salaries and 

 expenses of the Plant Board men. Two working together as a field 

 party are expected to put out from 600 to 700 cans in an eight hour day. 

 One man in a Ford car can ordinarily keep 5 field parties supplied with 

 cans of poisoned syrup. To do this, at least two fast workers are needed 

 at the filling station. They must place the sponges in the cans, crimp 

 the cans on two sides, fill the cans with syrup (usually about % full) 

 place the tops on the cans, and place them in baskets. Each basket 

 holds 48 cans. Usually about 6 baskets are carried to the field on each 

 trip by the automobile. The man in the car has a map of the city on 

 which is indicated the estimated number of cans needed for each block. 

 He instructs the field parties as to the niimber of cans allotted to each 

 block. The field parties work one section of a city at a time in parallel 

 blocks. This saves time and makes it easy for the man in the car to 

 locate the field parties . 



Through the courtesy of the U. S. Bureau of Entomology, Mr. E. R. 

 Barber kindly took charge of the first campaigns put on in Mississippi. 

 During the Fall of 1920 (under Mr. Barber's direction) Woodville, 

 Durant, Crystal Springs and Laurel put on successful campaigns against 

 the Argentine Ant. Each of these towns wished to repeat the work 

 during 1921, while Columbus, Aberdeen, Gulfport, and Hazlehurst have 

 also put on campaigns this fall. Many other towns have the subject 

 under consideration. In every case the city authorities and the people 

 generally are deHghted with the results. This year Mr. Barber could 

 not assist us directly, but instead of preparing the poisoned S3a'up at 

 each town, we bought it in large quantities in New Orleans where it had 

 been prepared under Mr. Barber's supervision. This year the city of 

 New Orleans is m.aking a determined fight against this insect and under 

 Mr. Barber's direction is putting out 300,000 cans of poisoned syrup. 

 Reports have reached us that various other towns in Alabam.a, Louisiana 

 and Texas have been following the same method of fighting the ant. 



