20 CORN. 
Moth” is more likely to be troublesome to us in this country than in 
Indian Corn, excepting when this comes to us as an infested import. 
In regard to the amount of bisulphide of carbon to be used, this of 
course varies with the space to be treated, and good directions as to 
amount, method of use, and the great need of care in using the highly 
inflammable liquid, will be found in the paper by Dr. Howard on the 
** Angoumois Moth,” before referred to (‘ Insect Life,’ vol. v.). It is 
mentioned that when used in bins, a pound and a half to a ton of 
grain is an amount that has been recommended. ‘‘ When used in a 
reasonably close room, or in a nearly empty bin, one pound of the 
bisulphide should be evaporated for every one thousand feet of cubic 
space ; or in a space ten by ten by ten feet, one-third of a pound in 
each of three shallow vessels for a space of these dimensions. For a 
space ten by ten by twenty feet use two pounds in six vessels, . . . 
and soon. Make the room as tight as is convenient. A good time 
to treat the grain is on Saturday afternoon. Place your pans of 
bisulphide in position, close the room up tightly before dark, and leave 
it closed until Monday morning. ‘Then air the room thoroughly, and 
stir the grain to some extent. The vitality of the grain will not be 
injured in the least, nor will its edible qualities be harmed. One point 
should be always borne in mind in using bisulphide of carbon, and that is 
its extreme inflammability ; its vapour when confined is even explosive. No 
light or fire should be brought in its vicinity.’—(L. O. H.) 
I have used italics in the above sentence to draw attention as fully 
as possible to the very dangerous nature of the application unless used 
both with knowledge and care. I have myself seen ignition occur in 
the open air from the heat of the sun’s rays. Also it should be 
remembered that the vapour of the bisulphide is prejudicial to the 
health, or even dangerous if inhaled in large quantity. 
Another method of destroying infestation is to subject the attacked 
grain to a raised temperature.t It appears that it is not ‘so much 
the intensity of the heat as its continued action for a certain period 
which kills the caterpillars and chrysalids in the grain, so that from 
45° to 50° during twenty-four or thirty-six hours produce more effect 
than 76° or 96° for one hour. Of course the heat must be regulated 
so as not to destroy germinating power, and it is stated to be considered 
that it is preserved at 190° Fahrenheit.” 
I have no personal knowledge on this point, and would advise 
investigation so as to make sure before trying the above plan. The 
heat may be applied in some form of heated oven or chamber, or in an 
ordinary room, or (formerly) by means of an iron cylinder, or other 
* And let the operator be careful not to shut up either himself or any living 
creature, excepting the insects to be destroyed. 
t See ‘Farm Insects,’ by John Curtis, p. 313. 
