36 



larly where there is much underbrush to harbor the insects. This work 

 is accomplished by means of a small tank, to which is connected a light 

 suction pump. Crude oil is used and is forced out of the spra^- pole 

 attached to the outfit, and makes a flaming torch which instantly con- 

 sumes all forms of insect life. In using this outfit due care must be 

 taken not to injure trunks of the trees. 



The method applicable to private estates or available for parties of 

 small means would include first of all the important work of egg- 

 destruction. 



Egu Bcstrnclion. — This is best accomplished by searching out the egg 

 clusters in the fall or winter and soaking them with creosote mixture. 

 This mixture consists of crude creosote oil charged with varying ])er- 

 eentages of coloring matter and carbolic acid. It is now offered in the 

 market by several firms at prices ranging from seventy-five cents to one 

 dollar per gallon, depending upon quantity. It is well to use a mixture 

 containing considerable coloring matter, so that nests which have been 

 treated shall show a distinct color. Where plain creosote oil is used the 

 coloring soon fades out, and by the following spring it is difficult to 

 distinguish treated from untreated nests. 



Btirlapping. — This consists of tying a burlap band ai'ound the tree 

 trunks, thus affording the insects an artificial shelter during the day. 

 The burlap strips should be about six inches wide and tied around the 

 tree by means of a cord in the middle Later both edges of the strip are 

 pulled down. After the caterpillars are half grown they feed by night 

 and will hide under the burlap during the day. The burlaps should be 

 examined every day and the insects under them destroyed by hand. 



Spraying. — The use of arsenical poisons, particularly some form of 

 arsenate of lead, applied as a spray to the foliage is very effective, and 

 alone is often depended upon to hold the insect in check. Some form of 

 arsenate of lead paste should be used at the rate of about ten jjounds 

 to one hundred gallons of water. The spraying solution should be 

 kept well stirred and applied on a clear, dry day. 



For the work of spraying, a simple hand outfit will sufiice where 

 shrubljery alone is to be treated. For work on fruit trees or shade trees 

 of any size the barrel pump is necessary, while for use in woodlands or 

 parks one of the larger park outfits would be found economical. Thus 

 the cost of a sprayer will vary from one dollar and twenty-five cents for 

 the simple cheap hand sprayers to twenty- five dollars for a barrel outfit,, 

 and so on to sixty dollars or more for a park outfit. Many parties in the 

 business of spraying use power outfits costing as high as five hundred 

 dollars or more 



In fighting the gypsy moth it should be borne in mind that the process 

 must be a continuous one ; in other words, the insects must be dealt with 

 every j-ear. There is no case in applied entomology known to the 

 writer where constant and thorough work will yield greater returns. It 

 is much cheaper and easier to suppress the moth before it gets a foot- 

 hold than to attempt to wipe out a large colony. A little patient work 

 every winter and spring in the matter of Qgg destruction and burlapping 

 will hold the pest in check, provided, of course, that there can be coop- 

 eration throughout the community. 



