HOW INSECTS AFFECT THE COTTON PLANT. 



IM 



(homemade or commercial) ; (;:5) kerosene emulsion V; (4) fionr-paste 

 solution (1 gallon stock ])aste to 12 gallons water). 



LEAF-CUTTING ANT..! 



Tlie so-called leaf-cutting ov i)arasol ant is well known in south- 

 western Texas, where it is often destructive to cultivated crops, in- 



Fig. 11.— Southwestern lubber grasshopper; Adult female, natural size. (Walton.) 



eluding cotton. The ants cut the leaves from a plant and carry them 

 to the nest The leaves are finely divided and made into small pellets, 

 by means of the mandibles and legs. The pellets are placed upon the 

 so-called fungus garden, where they furnish a growing medium for the 

 fungus on which the 

 colony feeds. 



The best method 

 of control is by means 

 of potassium or sodi- 

 um cyanid, a deadly 

 poison. The cyanid 

 is used at the rate of 

 1 ounce to 1 quart of 

 water. After careful 

 mixing the liquid is 

 poured into each 

 opening of the nest, 

 a quart to an open- 

 ing. Two applica- 

 tions may be neces- 

 sary to exterminate the colon5^ Care must he taken not to breathe 



Fig. 12.— The female red 

 spider. Highly mag- 

 nified. (McGregor 

 and McPonough.) 



Fk;. 1:>.— (ollon plantin well advanced 

 stage of infestation by the red spider. 

 Nearly all leaves, squares, and bolls 

 have been shed. (McGregor,') 



1 Kerosene emulsion is made by combining 1 gallon of kerosene and one-four( h pound of laundry soap, or 

 1 poimd of whale-oil (fish-oil) or other soap, or 1 jiiiit of soft soap, with half a gallon of water. The laundry 

 soap, if dry, is shaved and dissolved in boiling walcr and then poured (away from the fire) while still boiling 

 hot into the kerosene. The mixture is then churned rapidly 8 or 10 minutes, the liquid being pumped back 

 upon itself by means of a sprayer with a nozzle throwing a strong, solid stream. At the end of this time 

 the mixture becomes a thick cream — the stock emulsion. In the preparation of the emulsion a sprayer is 

 necessary. For most species of sucking insects 1 part of the stock emulsion should be mixed with 15 parts 

 of water. 



- Atta texava Buckley. 



