THE TOBACCO BEETLE. 



63 



poisonous. All traces of the fumigant quickly disappear from the 

 substance treated when exposed to the air, and even foodstuffs have 

 been treated without affecting their edibility in any way. Tobacco or 

 cigars when properly aired do not retain the odor of the gas, and 

 the quality and flavor are not perceptibly changed. 



While carbon disulphid is not as effective as hydrocyanic-acid 

 gas, the ease with which it may be employed makes it the more desir- 

 able fumigant, particu- 

 larly when the mate- 

 rial to be fumigated 

 occupies a small space. 

 The liquid carbon di- 

 sulphid has merely to 

 be poured into a shal- 

 low dish, placed near 

 the ceiling of the com- 

 partment to be fumi- 

 gated, and allowed to 

 evaporate. The method 

 is a favorite one with 

 many cigar dealers, the 

 main objection being 

 the danger of fire. A 

 dealer known to the 

 writer, in fumigating 

 small lots of infested 

 stock, makes use of an 

 old refrigerator so 

 fitted that the door 

 closes perfectly tight. 

 This is placed in a 

 building outside the 

 cigar store, to avoid 

 danger of fire and for 

 convenience in airing 

 after treatment. As 



soon as infested stock is detected it is fumigated promptly, and in 

 this case there has been small loss from the tobacco beetle. 



The fumigating closet, shown in figure 16, was found to be a con- 

 venient size for cigar fumigation. Its dimensions are 2.5 by 2.5 by 

 6.5 feet. The sides are of matched boards. The inside is lined with 

 sheet zinc. The door and fastenings are similar to those commonly 

 used on refrigerators. Strips of heavy felt were attached where the 

 edges of the door fitted. Boat clamps were used at top and bottom 



Fig. 16. — A closet for fumigating cigars or manufac- 

 tured tobacco. A, Removable tray for holding 

 cigars ; B, generating jar. 



