HOW TO DETECT OUTBREAKS OF INSECTS AND SAVE GRAIN. 15 



they have attained any ('0'nsideraJ)Je size, when the injury done by 

 them is still very slight, and Avhen they are wingless and easily killed 

 by poisons or mechanical means. 



POISONED BAITS FOR GRASSHOPPERS. 



The most effective remedies yet discovered for grasshoppers are 

 the following poisoned baits : 



The mixture known as the poisoned-bran bait has proved to be a 

 simple, reliable, and cheap method of destroying grasshoppers, and 

 has been applied with signal success throughout many portions of the 

 United States. It is made up as follows: Wheat bran, 25 pounds; 

 Paris green, 1 pound, or powdered arsenate of lead, 2 pounds; lemons 

 or oranges, 6 finely chopped fruits ; low-grade molasses, such as refuse 

 from sugar factories, or cattle molasses, known as " black strap," 2 

 quarts; water, 2 to 8 gallons. The bran and Paris green or arsenate 

 of lead are thoroughly mixed while dry, the fruits are then finely 

 chopped and added, and lastly the molasses and water are 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 substituted; 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 Lmbous or oranges, if necessary. 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 grasshoppers. 



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 arsenate of lead, 2 

 pounds; finely chopped oranges or lemons, 6 to 8 fruits; water suffi- 

 cient to make a moist but not sloppy mash. This bait must be mixed 

 thoroughly 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. 



In applying the poisoned bait in orchards, care must be taken to 

 avoid distributing it close to the trees, because severe injury to fruit 

 trees occasionally results from heavy applications of arsenicals. 



Proper time of day for applyimj the poisoned halts. — The time of 

 ■day chosen for distributing the poisoned baits has, an important 

 bearing upon the results secured. In California and other semiarid 

 regions the bait should be distributed in late afternoon or early even- 

 ing, just before the grasshoppers ascend the plants on whi<;h they 



