56 PROTECTION OF PLANTS, 1915-16 



treated fields examined very few living locusts were present and the farmers 

 were quite satisfied that the application of the poisoned bran had saved 

 their crops from being destroyed. The farmers in other parishes in Quebec 

 province also organized in a similar manner, with excellent results. 



As the locusts do not feed at night, they are always hungry in the 

 morning and for this reason the poisoned bran is spread in the fields as early 

 in the day as possible. Since very little of the bran is eaten after it becomes 

 dry, scattering it broadcast in the morning and very thinly, places it where 

 the largest number of locusts will find it in the shortest time. Sowing it 

 in this manner also makes it impossible for birds, barnyard fowls, or live 

 stock to secure a sufificient amount of the poison to kill them. Inasmuch 

 as the poisoned bait does not act quickly, it will be from two to four days 

 before the insects are found dead, and these will be more numerous in the 

 sheltered places. It does not require much of the poison to kill them. Even 

 a small portion from one of the poisoned flakes will be sufficient to cause 

 death. 



In our experiments we found that 20 lbs. of bran, 1 lb. of Paris green, 

 2 quarts of molasses, the juice of three oranges or 3 lemons and about 

 2/^ gallons of water made a mixture sufficient to treat 5 acres of growing 

 crops. In preparing the bran mash, the bran and Paris green are mixed 

 thoroughly while dry. The juice of the oranges or lemons is squeezed 

 into the water, and to this is also added the pulp and peel after cutting 

 into fine bits. The molasses should then be added, and when dissolved the 

 mixture should be poured on to the dry bran and poison, stirring the whole 

 constantly so as to dampen the bran thoroughly. 



The mixture of course is not applied to all of the land, but scattered 

 thinly here and there throughout the fields. In this way sufficient of the bait 

 will be distributed to attract the locusts from considerable distances. The 

 best results in destroying these insects will be obtained before they reach 

 the winged state and are of about from one-quarter to one-half an inch in 

 length. 



