54 



"By these measures, with plenty of light, thorough cleanliness, 

 a cold mill, and caution in taking in stock and old bflgs, we hope 

 to keep free of the pest which has occasioned us so much trouble 

 and loss." 



One of my California correspondents, who is now using steam 

 for the destruction of this pest, says: "By the use of this sys- 

 tem I am now keeping the Hour moth in check, but I am com- 

 pelled to go over the mill, from top to bottom, at least once a 

 -week. If I let it go longer than that I observe a decided increase 

 of the moths in the mill and worms in the goods. On the whole, 

 I find this the most efficacious method I have tried since the 

 moths have been with ue." 



The most satisfactory method for equipping a mill with appa- 

 ratus for steaming purposes, now known to me, is that described 

 on page 44, and used by a San Francisco miller. 



There are several points about this method of destroying in- 

 sects that should be carefully considered. 



1. Any grain, flour, or other manufactured product left in a 

 mill during the steaming process is liable to become damp and 

 seriously injured. All such material should therefore be removed 

 before the steam is turned on. 



2. The bright parts of machinery and other apparatus are liable 

 to become rusty if not wiped thoroughly dry immediately after 

 the operation, or oiled before the steam is turned on. 



3. The "steam sweeper" or steam introduced by means of a 

 hose and nozzle, is certainly more advantageous than steam intro- 

 duced through other pipes where the entire mill is filled at one 

 time, as in the former case it can be directed into corners, spouts, 

 machines, or other places where the attack is severest, with less 

 liability to the injuries specified under 1 and 2. 



4. Steam can be used to best advantage during the summer 

 months, as the windows and doors can be thrown open at this 

 time. In cold weather, or during the winter months, when the 

 mill is tightly closed, the steam on the cloths of the purifiers 

 often causes trouble, the middlings running the wrong way. Steam 

 sweeping, on the whole, is most successful in the summer months, 

 except iu California and some of the Southern States where there 

 is a mild and equable temperature. 



Sieam and Sulphur. — The use of steam and sulphur combined has 

 been attended by very satisfactory results. My California correspond- 

 ent, after his bitter experience with the sulphur, writes again: "I 

 think that there is no doubt but that the moth can be extermi- 

 nated from any one mill by sufficiently long-continued applica- 

 tions of sulphur fumes and s^eam. This, however, necessi- 

 tates a great expense iu moving all the stock out of the mill, and 

 also loss of time that would result in shutting down the mill to 

 make the applicatior. I do not believe that all 'the eggs, larvae, 

 pupsB and adults could be destroyed in less than one week's con- 

 stant application of the gas and steam. This process would leave 

 the mill in such a condition that unless the acid which is de- 

 posited by the gas could be neutralized by some agent it would 



