CONTROL OF ARGENTINE ANT IN ORANGE GROVES. 19 



about the premises, in containers that will keep out rain. One-pint 

 fruit jars, of the type illustrated in figure 6, are suitable for this 

 purpose. A single hole is punched in the center of the lid for the 

 admission of the ants. A piece of sponge is placed in each jar to 

 aid the ants in reaching the poison. Scrap or waste sponges suitable 

 for this purpose sell for about 25 cents per pound at drug stores, 

 and 1 pound of them will serve for a dozen or more jars. About 

 one-half pint of sirup will serve for each jar. The jars should be 

 laid on their sides, and occasionally shifted to a new position. 



The best poison is prepared as follows: Make a sirup by stirring 

 8 pounds of granulated sugar in one-half gallon of cold water until 

 dissolved, making 1| gallons of sirup. Then add 4J ounces of chloral 



FIG. 6. Artificial ant nest and jars used in poisoning the ants. 



hydrate crystals, previously dissolved in a small quantity of water, 

 and about one-half pound of strained honey. The honey will add 

 to the attractiveness of the sirup. 



If chloral hydrate can not be obtained, arsenite of soda may be 

 substituted. Dissolve 62 grains of tartaric acid crystals in 3J pints 

 of water. Then add 8 pounds of granulated sugar and boil until 

 dissolved. Allow to cool. Dissolve about 200 grains of arsenite of 

 soda (or I~c2 grains of white arsenic) in one-half pint of hot water. 

 AVhen cool add to the sirup. Then add from one-half to three- 

 fourths pound of strained honey. The tartaric acid prevents the 

 souring of the arsenical sirup, which the ants will take very slowly. 



OF TREE-HANDTNC, MIXTURES. 



In Louisiana orange groves the extensive use of adhesive and 

 other repellent mixtures for banding tree trunks to keep out ants 



