INDIAN-MEAL MOTH AND WEEVIL-CUT PEANUTS. 5 



gives excellent results. Full directions for its use are given in Cir- 

 cular 112 of this bureau.^ 



Carbon bisulphid is also applicable as a fumigant, and is highly 

 effective, although its great inflammability and the possibility' of its 

 explosion when ignited are in a measure against its use. 



MEANS or PREVENTION BY THE PACKER. 



In order to decrease the liability of peanuts to insect injury, the 

 factory should be kept as free as possible from an accumulation of 

 moths during the summer season. To this end, all cars of infested 

 peanuts coming into the factory should be fumigated before entrance. 

 The factories should be so constructed as to furnish as few hiding 

 places for the larvae and pupae as possible. A modern reenforced 

 concrete structure with concrete floors may be, with proper attention, 

 kept almost entirely free from the pests. 



The writer has seen large numbers of the larvae hibernating be- 

 tween the two layers of a double floor that was apparently tight, 

 and with ease resisting ordinary efforts to diminish their numbers. 

 All cracks and crannies large enough to hold a small quantity of 

 dust may also prove breeding places for the larvae. 



Care in attending to the freedom of outgoing freight cars from 

 larva3 will also be of value in controlling the injuiy due to insects. 

 An ordinary freight car can be easily and safely fumigated at a cost 

 not to exceed $1, with either hydrocyanic-acid gas or carbon bisulphid. 

 Even a thorough cleaning of the car before reloading will be of 

 value in destroying many insects brought in with the previous ship- 

 ment.- 



The storage rooms should be light and airy, and the peanuts 

 should not be piled so high that it is necessary to climb about on the 

 bags in order to reach the top of the piles. "\\Tiile some degree of 

 immunity may be reached by the storage of peanuts in large bulk, 

 still the increased amount of breakage from this method more than 

 balances the good effects of the bulk storage. 



The storage of peanuts in elevator bins holding several thousand 

 bushels each does not meet with this objection, as in such case the 

 nuts are trami^led but little, and the injury by insects is limited al- 

 most entirely to the top layer, rarely extending more than a foot or 

 two below the surface. « 



MEASURES or PREVENTION BY THE GROWER. 



Infestation of peanuts by the Indian-meal moth frequently takes 

 place in the storage sheds or barns of the farmer or grower, where 



1 Circular 112, Bureau of Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture. 



2 Care should be taken that railroad agents deliver for peanut shipment only clean cars. 



