No. 4.] WORK OF GYPSY MOTH COMMITTEE. 239 



the spraying. One of the hens, however, was examined, 

 and no trace of arsenic was found in the stomach. Some of 

 these hens may have eaten poisoned grass in sufficient quan- 

 tity to destroy them, but we have no conclusive evidence that 

 such is the case. Hens also eat great numbers of the cater- 

 pillars when they can find them, and it may be possible that 

 their death was hastened by eating poisoned caterpillars. 



Most absurd and ridiculous statements have been circu- 

 lated, to the effect that horses and cattle have been killed by 

 eating grass and leaves which we have sprayed ; also that 

 people have died from chewing leaves sprayed with Paris 

 green, or from having Paris green sprayed over their food. 

 To show how far people may be deluded by their prejudices, 

 I frequently allowed a horse to feed upon grass which had 

 been sprayed, and from the efiects of eating which horses 

 and cattle were said to have died, and this horse has never 

 shown any symptoms of arsenical poisoning. 



The mixture ordinarily used was slightly stronger than that 

 recommended for spraying fruit trees for the destruction of 

 other insects, and was almost uniformly as follows : one 

 hundred and fifty gallons of water, one i)ound of Paris green 

 and two quarts of glucose. It was seen that Paris green 

 when used alone was washed off the leaves by sudden 

 showers. A small quantity of glucose added to the mixture 

 will hold the poison upon the leaves during a hard shower, 

 and in our experience it has proved to be far more useful 

 than anything else tried. It is inexpensive, costing two and 

 five-eighths cents per pound by the barrel. 



Destroyixg Eggs. 



Under ordinary circumstances the most effective and 

 cheapest methods of destroying the eggs are to burn them or 

 to saturate them with creosote oil by means of a sponge or 

 brush. This oil is made by the Carolina Oil and Creosote 

 Company of Wilmington, N. C, and is sold at fifteen cents a 

 gallon by the barrel. It penetrates and kills the eggs at once. 



For reaching eggs in hollows or cavities of trees, and 

 other inaccessible places, bromine is used. This can be 

 injected into the cavity, and soon forms a gas. The cavity 

 is closed, and the gas destroys all animal life. 



