290 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



would perhaps reach $500. There were several smaller outbreaks in 

 Bridgewater, but with shght money loss. Middleborough had numer- 

 ous though small outbreaks, the total loss being estimated at $300. 

 In Wareham some lawns and small fields of grass were injured, the 

 estimated loss being less than $100. Reports of damage to cranberry 

 bogs in Carver failed to be supported on investigation; a few mowing 

 fields attacked indicated a loss of perhaps $100. In Plymouth no 

 places were found where the insect was causing any appreciable injury. 

 In these towns the whole question of damage has been much over- 

 estimated without question, for all cases reported were followed up 

 and always found to be much exaggerated. 



When the army worm is discovered in abundance, in its 

 usual low-ground or swampy haunts, it may be controlled 

 by spraying there with Paris green or arsenate of lead. If 

 the former material be used, as much as 3 pounds of the 

 Paris green to 75 gallons of water should be used; if arse- 

 nate of lead be taken, at least 5 pounds to 50 gallons of 

 water should be used. In either case the object of this is 

 to destroy the caterpillars before they start to march to 

 other fields, and after a treatment as strong as this the 

 grass, or whatever the plants may be, cannot be used. 

 Paris green at the strength named will probably burn the 

 plants later. This treatment, then, sacrifices the grass, or 

 whatever the caterpillars may be feeding upon, for the pur- 

 pose of destroying the insects before they start for more 

 valuable crops near by. 



When the insects are discovered on the march, or actually 

 at work on growing crops, the method of control must be 

 chosen to meet the particular conditions present in each 

 case. If they are marching to a grass field, a strip across 

 and just ahead of the line of march can be heavily sprayed 

 as directed above. This particular strip will of course be 

 at least partly eaten by the army, and anything remaining 

 would be so heavily poisoned that it would be unsafe to 

 feed to stock. But in this way protection for the fields be- 

 yond may be obtained. Sometimes it is possible to place 

 a thick strip of Tarvia (road oil) across the line of march. 

 This should be kept fresh and renewed when necessary; 

 sometimes a furrow plowed across, throwing the earth 

 toward the army, is quite effective, the caterpillars finding 



