14 THE WHITE-FUNGUS DISEASE IN KANSAS. 
OuruInE oF WorK AGAINST THE CuHiIncH Bua CARRIED ON IN KANSAS 
DURING 1910. 
Owing to the presence of chinch bugs in destructive numbers over 
a considerable portion of the State in 1909, many requests were re- 
ceived for diseased bugs. The demands ‘became so insistent that the 
regents of the University of Kansas made provisions for supplying 
the fungus to all applicants during the season of 1910. Following 
the methods used by the late Dr. Snow, a package of diseased bugs, » 
accompanied by the necessary literature, was mailed to each appli- 
cant. The mailing list was primarily for residents of Kansas, but 
a number of farmers in Oklahoma were supplied with the fungus. 
The literature consisted principally of a four-page folder, which 
contained, besides information for the use of the fungus, other infor- 
mation which was designed to enable the farmers to make intelligent 
observations in their own fields and to avail themselves of other 
methods of fighting chinch bugs, 
It was understood that many authorities do not advocate the arti- 
ficial use of Sporotrichum; still, in the absence of conclusive evidence 
to prove its impracticability, the recommendations of Dr. Snow in 
his last report were followed, with the hope that in the face of a 
threatened chinch-bug epidemic some good might result. 
At the same time, however, provision was made for an investiga- 
tion in order to determine definitely whether or not artificial infec- 
tion accomplishes results sufficient to justify the labor and expense 
involved. 
Work began early in 1910, some months before any infection was 
sent out. It was necessary to determine early which portions of the 
State were suited for carrying on experiments, judging from the 
number of bugs, and the extent of the distribution of the fungus 
naturally in the soil. Data as to the distribution of the fungus were 
regarded as more nearly conclusive if obtained before artificial dis- 
tribution began. 
No Sporotrichum had been distributed in Kansas since Dr. Snow 
distributed it from 1891 to 1896. Dr. Snow’s reports show that the 
fungus was very generally present in the fields in 1895 and 1896, 
and on that account results derived from its artificial distribution 
were of doubtful benefit. This was thought to be a very favorable 
time for determining if the fungus had meanwhile maintained itself 
in the fields. Whether or not the fungus found in the soil at that 
time was the result of that sown by Dr. Snow years ago is, however, 
not pertinent to the problem, since the problem concerns itself with a 
plan of action for the present and future. 
