786 



CONSERVATION 



Fighting Moths with Searchlights and Fans 



To use a Catling gun to kill a sparrow 

 would be considered a most shameful waste 

 of energy. 



In Germany, however, they are employing 

 the great force of electricity to kill moths, 

 and the results obtained have been so satis- 

 factory that the plan may be followed in this 

 country. 



It was because the forests of Germany 

 were being devastated by moths that it was 

 finally decided to try electricity. 



By the use of an electrical device these 

 insects are being exterminated at the rate 

 of nearly half a million a day. 



The new method involves the use of elec- 

 tric light at night. It was tried first at 

 Zittau, Saxony, where the moth known popu- 

 larly throughout Germany as the '"nun" was 

 doing untold damage to the trees. 



It was found that the insects were most 

 active between the hours of 10 p. m. and I 

 a. m., and that they were inevitably attracted 

 to' bright lights. 



A little experimenting showed that the 

 greater the light the greater the attraction. 

 The flame of burning wood drew them 

 slightly ; acetylene or magnesium lamps 

 proved more effective, and the electric arc 

 light proved most powerful of all. 



Where a gas lamp was located near an arc 

 light, the former was found to be practically 

 deserted, while the latter was infested by 

 multitudes of flies and moths. 



Near the forests of Zittau were the mu- 

 nicipal electric works. The entire stock of 

 arc lamps on hand was utilized, the lights 

 being linked together so as to furnish the 

 most powerful light possible. 



The effect of this brilliant illumination 

 was to attract the moths of the forest in 

 swarms, although the forests were several 

 miles away. Thousands fell to the ground 

 with singed wings, the heat generated by 

 the powerful electric arcs being considerable. 



The success achieved in this way sug- 

 gested amplifications. Instead of the arc 

 lights alone, powerful searchlights with a 

 current of forty amperes were mustered into 

 service, the intense rays being directed upon 

 the forests. 



To each searchlight were linked two arc 

 lamps, which served to concentrate the flut- 

 tering moths. Between the lamps was placed 

 a powerful suction ventilator, in front of the 

 outlet of which was stationed a piece of 

 wire netting. 



When this contrivance was operated the 

 slaughter of the insects which is accom- 

 plished was beyond all expectations. 



Attracted by the bright illumination, the 

 moths advanced in great hosts, and were 

 dashed against the wire' screen as soon as 

 they came within range of the powerful suc- 

 tion ventilator. 



The suction was caused by an electric 

 motor, which produced 1,200 revolutions a 



minute, and sucked through about 2,800 cubic 

 feet of air in the same period. 



About 141 pounds of moths, or 400,000 of 

 them, were killed in a single night by the 

 use of this device. The method has not yet 

 been used in America, but it may be found 

 necessary to adopt it in the near future. 

 Boston, Mass., American. 



Forester Gaskill at Work 



In a recent interview, Mr. Alfred Gaskill, 

 secretary of the state board of forestry of 

 New Jersey said in substance : An ex- 

 penditure of about $9,000 in preventing forest 

 fires has saved not less than $250,000 in New 

 Jersey during the past year. By extinguish- 

 ing one forest fire $20,000 worth of cran- 

 berries were saved. The forestry board is 

 not only fighting fires, but cultivating trees. 

 There are 2,000,000 acres of forests in the 

 state, covering almost half the state's area. 

 These forests, however, have been so abused 

 that their value has been almost extin- 

 guished, being worth, on the average, to 

 their owners less than $i per year, while the 

 forests of Wurtemburg, German, whose size, 

 population, and conditions are similar to 

 those of New Jersey, are worth $6 an acre 

 net to their owners. 



New Jersey now owns about 10,000 acres 

 of forest reserves, and expects soon to pur- 

 chase 4,000 acres more. 



The state should protect itself against the 

 gipsy and brown-tail moths from New Eng- 

 land. 



The elm-leaf beetle has already got into 

 north Jersey and is killing hundreds of elm 

 trees. An appropriation of $5,000, Mr. 

 Gaskill thinks, would enable the commission 

 to drive out these pests and prevent the 

 threatened invasion. He says it is only a 

 question of paying a small sum now or be- 

 ing compelled to pay a much large one later. 



Maine Forestry Law a Success 



The Hon. Edward E. Ring, state forest 

 commissioner, says the law creating a Maine 

 forestry district and providing for forest-fire 

 protection in unorganized townships this 

 season proved to be a great benefit. 



Speaking of the law that provides for tax- 

 ation in unorganized townships for the pur- 

 poses of fire protection, Commissioner Ring 

 says that of the $64,000 raised $10,000 re- 

 mains unexpended. Fourteen new lookout 

 stations were built and equipped ; additional 

 wardens were employed, and tools for fight- 

 ing fires were distributed. The state has 

 now a total of twenty-two lookout stations. 

 More are to be erected next year. Christian 

 Science Monitor. 



