INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



39 



size and numbers of migrations. In this State the most destructive 



species are controlled as follows: 



Poisoned Bran. — In California the poisoned bran bait has proven 



exceedingly effective. This is recommended by J. S. Hunter (Bui. 



170 Cal. Agrcl. Exp. Sta.), as follows: 



Wheat bran 40 pounds. 



Molasses (cheapest) 2 gallons. 



White arsenic 5 pounds. 



The bran should be wet so that the water can be squeezed out 

 of a lump held in the hand. After this, stir in the molasses and then 

 the white arsenic. Let it stand over night and stir well before placing 

 in the field, so as to allow the poison to penetrate every particle. 

 The poison should be scattered in small piles, about the size of a 

 hen's egg, in front of the path of the grasshoppers throughout the 

 infested area. In orchards the poisoned bait should be placed at the 

 trunk of each tree. This bait should be either occasionally moistened 

 or renewed. 



Citric Bran Mash. — A modification of the common bran mash by the 

 addition of oranges or lemons has been recommended by Hunter 

 and Claassen 23 and used with remarkable success. The formula is 

 in two parts as follows : 



I. Bran 50 pounds. 



White arsenic or Paris green 2i pounds. 



Mix these dry. 



II. Lemons, including rind, chopped fine A dozen. 



Syrup or molasses (cheap) 4 quarts. 



Water 5 gallons. 



Mix thoroughly by vigorous agitation. 



For use, mix I and II and add sufficient water to make a wet mash. 

 They should not be mixed until just before the distribution of the 

 poison. Distribute the mixture early in the morning between 4 and 7 

 o'clock, as the grasshoppers eat it more readily then. 



Oranges or vinegar may be substituted for lemons, but do not give 

 nearly as good results. 



This citric bran mash was used in Ventura County in the early 

 summer of 1914 by Horticultural Commissioner R. S. Vaile to head 

 off an invasion of the pellucid grasshopper (Camnula pellucida 

 Scudd.). It proved to be a remarkable success and entirely accom- 

 plished the desired results. 



Fig. 34. — Plan of a hopper-dozer. (After Urbahns) 



Criddle Mixture. — This is one of the poisons used in the East and 



Middle West with great effectiveness and is prepared as follows : 



Paris green . 1 pound. 



Common salt 2 pounds. 



Fresh horse dung 60 pounds. 



"Hunter, S. J. & Claassen, P. W., Jr. Be. Ent. VII, p. 76, 1914. 



