78 INSECTS INJURIOUS TO STAPLE CROPS. 



Poisoning. — A mash composed of bran, molasses, water, 

 and arsenic or Paris green, wliicli has been extensively 

 used for cutworms, was found to be quite successful in the 

 experiments of Mr. D. W. Coquillct in the San Joaquin 

 Vallejs California, during 1885, for protecting orcliards, 

 vineyards, gardens, etc., and might even be of some value 

 for grain crops. Two pounds of Paris green, twenty- five 

 pounds of bran, barely moistened with water and cheap 

 molasses, will be about the correct proportion. It should 

 be placed in the fields, a tablespoonful to each plant or 

 vine. At this rate the cost per acre of vineyard, including 

 labor, will not exceed fifty cents. The poison acts slowly, 

 but if judiciously used will be found very effective, 

 especially for the non-migratory forms. In Texas the 

 mash has been found satisfactory in destroying the grass- 

 hoppers attacking cotton. One planter* writes: "We 

 are successfully using arsenic (for grasshoppers) at the 

 following rates: 10 pounds of wheat bran, 1^ gallons 

 sorghum molasses, 1 pound arsenic. Make a thick mash, 

 sow broadcast on infected ground, and it will surely kill 

 them. I used 40 pounds last year and made 49 bales ot 

 cotton. My neighbors did not do anything and entirely 

 lost their crop." However, Prof. M^organ concluded that 

 'Hhe mash cannot be relied upon in severe outbreaks, such 

 as occurred in the delta, but may be used in limited attacks 

 wliere the area affected would not warrant the more 

 aggressive methods.'' 



* S. D. Harwell, Putnam, Callahan Co., Tex., Bull 30, n. s., 

 Piv. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr., p. 06. 



