88 FUMIGATION METHODS 



in Riverside County from fumigation with cyanide has 

 been caused by an occasional mistake of the foreman of 

 fumigation in either beginning his work too early in 

 the evening or continuing it too late in the morning. 

 This has, however, seldom occurred, as few fumiga- 

 tors who understand their business will risk their 

 reputations by taking such chances. I recall to mind 

 a suit brought against the county some years ago for 

 alleged damages by one of our growers. This, I un- 

 understand, was a case of daylight fumigation. 



' ' I quite agree with the advocates of daylight 

 fumigation that there would be some advantages 

 gained by doing the work in the daytime instead of 

 night. There would be a small saving in chemicals, 

 but not nearly so much as claimed by some. It would 

 be also easier to locate trees and move the apparatus 

 from place to place. On the other hand, there are 

 some advantages in doing the work at night. The 

 handling of a fumigating outfit, especially where large 

 tents are required, is very laborious. Men could do 

 more work with less fatigue on account of the cooler 

 temperature. This would be especially true in River- 

 side County, where the greater part of the fumigation 

 is done during the warm months. I am under the 

 impression that it would be difficult to get men to work 

 during the very warm weather in the daytime, as the 

 reflection of the sunlight on the tents would increase 

 the heat to such an extent that they would prefer 

 other work at less wages. As was intimated at the 

 beginning, it is probable that in some of the coast 

 counties, in fumigating for black scale, where the 

 amount of cyanide is much less than for red scale, 



