9 
before the beetles of the last generation develop or at least in time 
to destroy them before they get into winter quarters. In Pennsyl- 
vania Prof. H. A. Surface made a comparative test of the value of 
Paris green and arsenate of lead, learning that not more than 50 
per cent of the insects were killed when Paris green and lime were 
used, while 90 per cent were killed with arsenate of lead. In a third 
experiment, in which resin soap was added to make the latter insecti- 
cide adhere more closely to the plants, all of the insects were killed on 
50 plants treated. In this case the arsenate of lead was used at the 
rate of 1 pound to 24 gallons of water, and 24 pounds of resin soap 
was added to render the mixture more adhesive. 
In the North, where these experiments were made, they were begun 
the first of June. Arsenate of lead has been used with satisfactory 
results on asparagus at the rate of 1 pound in 16 gallons of water, 
but some additional experiments are necessary to ascertain the exact 
amount of the poison that can be used economically to produce the 
required result. In ordinary weather a second spraying of arsenate 
of lead with a resin soap added is desirable, especially if rainfall 
intervenes. 
More specific information in regard to the method of preparing 
and-applying arsenate of lead is given in Circular No. 87, which may 
be obtained gratis on application. 
Everything considered, injury by this species is most noticeable 
when the beetles are working on the asparagus tips at the time they 
are being cut for food or market, as more fully described on page 2. 
It is, of course, impossible to apply arsenicals to the edible product 
owing to the danger of poisoning human beings. About all that can 
be done at this time is to cut as frequently as possible, but after the 
cutting season is over the arsenicals may be freely used in accordance 
with the directions already given. 
The brushing method.—<X simple and inexpensive method of kill- 
ing the larvee in hot weather is to beat or brush them from the plants 
with a stick so that they will drop to the bare ground. The larve 
are delicate creatures, and, as they crawl very slowly, few are able 
to regain shelter of the plants, but die when exposed to the heated 
earth. The same method is in use against the pea aphis. 
THE TWELVE-SPOTTED ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 
(Crioceris duodecimpunctata lL.) 
A rarer, and consequently less injurious species than the pre- 
ceding is the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle. It is generally dis- 
tributed in Europe, where it is apparently native and, although 
common, not especially destructive. Like the preceding, it lives ex- 
clusively on asparagus, and the chief damage it does is due to the 
[Cir. 102] 
