105 



at the rate of 1 to 630, the optimum efficiency is obtained wHth 4 lb. of 

 soap to 50 gals, water. By reducing the concentration of nicotine 

 sulphate to 1 to 720, 5 lb. of soap to 50 gals, of solution gives the 

 greater efficiency. The effect of loss of wetting power in a solution is 

 indeterminable, since soap, as well as nicotine, has insecticidal pro- 

 perties. It has been found that insects thoroughly drenched with a 

 solution show a much higher percentage of mortality than those struck 

 by a few drops. AVhere the wetting power is affected, it is probable 

 that the soap is also broken down sufficiently to lose some of its value 

 as an insecticide ; hence, both factors must be considered as the cause 

 of the loss of efficiency in the case of some of the more concentrated 

 mixtures. 



HoRTON (J. R.). Some Weatherproof Bands for Use against Ants.^ 

 Mthly. Bull. Cal. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, v, no. U, 

 November 1916, pp. 419-421. 



This circular gives the best formulae for preparing lasting banding 

 mixtures arrived at in the course of a long series of experiments in 

 which some twenty combinations were tried. While great improve- 

 ment can be made in the adhesive bands by varying their consistency, 

 so as to keep them soft in all kinds of weather in which the ants are 

 active, the fact remains that they will gradually collect rubbish and 

 dust until they become ineffective. A mixture of corrosive sublimate, 

 one part of sublimate to six parts of tree-sticky, was tried and proved 

 successful, in that no ants crossed it and no spreading or renewal was 

 needed for about three months. When the ants finally did begin 

 crossing the band on the accunmlated rubbish they were only able to 

 cross very slowly, and plainly showed effects of poisonmg from the 

 mercuric salt. As however this material is extremely injurious to the 

 bark of trees, if it conies in contact with it. it was replaced by flowers of 

 sulphur, one part by weight to six parts by weight of tree-sticky, with 

 equally satisfactory results. The tree trunk should first be wound 

 round with tape and the mixture laid on that, as if laid directly on the 

 tree it is likely to be absorbed and cause injury in course of time. The 

 bands should be from four to six inches wide and about one quarter 

 of an inch thick. Another fairly satisfactory mixture is composed of 

 one part by weight of ordinary black axle grease and two or three parts 

 of commercial tree-sticky, thoroughly stirred with a wooden paddle 

 until a uniform mixture results. Bands of this mixture have remained 

 effective for about two months. It should not be allowed to come 

 into direct contact with the tree bark for long periods of time. The 

 " ant tape " of commerce, made by soaking strips of cotton cloth in a 

 saturated water solution of corrosive sublimate, is useless out of doors, 

 as it cannot withstand moisture and is a source of danger to children 

 and domestic animals. The follo\nng method of preparing it, however, 

 overcomes both these difficulties. Corrosive sublimate. 20 grammes, 

 dissolved in 60 cc. of ethyl alcohol and 31 grammes of orange or white 

 shellac added to the solution, are shaken at intervals in a bottle until 

 liquified. The mixture may then be applied \\\\.\\ a paint brush to the 

 legs of tables or refrigerators or to the supports of beehives. It dries 

 perfectly hard in a few minutes, is absolutely waterproof, and will 

 remain effective for more than a year on wood, but is more rapidly 



