16 FARMERS’ BULLETIN 141, 
pound, or white arsenic, 1 pound; lemons or oranges, 6 finely 
chopped fruits; low-grade molasses, such as refuse from sugar fac- 
tories, or cattle molasses, known as “black strap,” 2 quarts. The 
bran and Paris green or other arsenical are thoroughly mixed while 
dry, the fruits are then finely chopped and added, and lastly the 
molasses is poured over the bait and the whole thoroughly kneaded. 
A coarse-flaked bran is most desirable, although where this can not 
be obtained easily ordinary middlings or alfalfa meal may be substi- 
tuted; a low-grade, strong-smelling sirup or molasses, however, is 
essential to the entire success of the undertaking. Crushed ripe 
tomatoes, watermelons, or limes may be substituted for the lemons 
or oranges, if necessary. Ordinary powdered white arsenic (arseni- 
ous acid) contains nearly twice as much arsenic as Paris green and 
is comparatively low in price. The powdered form of arsenate of 
lead may be used, but in this case twice as much of it must be used 
Fic. 20.—Sowing poisoned-bran bait from a buggy, in treating meadows to 
destroy grasshoppers. (Webster.) 
as of the Paris green. In California and other semiarid regions 
water should be added to the bait at the rate of 4 gallons to 25 
pounds of bran, as in these climates the bait dries out very rapidly 
and the extra moisture is necessary in order to attract the grass- 
hoppers. 
Another effective bait of similar character is the modified Criddle 
mixture. This is prepared as follows: Fresh horse droppings, one- 
half barrel; Paris green, 1 pound, or powdered white arsenic, 1 
pound; finely chopped oranges or lemons, 6 to 8 fruits. This bait 
must be thoroughly mixed before being distributed and as most 
people object to handling this mixture with the bare hands, a pair of 
cheap rubber gloves may be used for the purpose. Both the poisoned- 
bran bait and the modified Criddle mixture are distributed over the 
infested fields by sowing broadcast, either on foot or from a light 
wagon or buggy, as shown in figure 20. A broadcast grain seeder 
oor ee 
