THE AKGENTIlSrE AISTT : DISTRIBUTION AND CONTBOL. 



21 



paraffin and set aside to dry. The paraffin, forming a waterproof sur- 

 face, materially lengthens the life of the bag, which is protected from 

 the entrance of water through the holes 

 by part of another (2-pound) paraffined 

 bag which covers the first one like a can- 

 opy. In use, each bag is provided with a 

 small quantity of poisoned sirup and a 

 piece of sponge, the i^rotecting outer 

 X^iece of bag" is drawn up over it, and 

 the ends of both are folded over at the 

 top and tacked to a tree. On account 

 of the bag coming together at the top 

 it is very narrow at the point where 

 the entrance holes are made; conse- 

 quently very small pieces of sponge are 

 required. The bags have been known 

 to last for long periods, but the larger 

 percentage of them last only about 2 or 

 3 months. They can not be recharged. 



The tin can 

 shown in figure 

 5 is the most 

 satisfactory 



container. Any sized can may be used, but 

 the handiest size is the one-half pound bak- 

 ing-powder can. The can must have a fric- 

 tion cover, and of course it must hold water. 

 If tire can is indented deeply on the two op- 

 posite sides (as illustrated in the drawing, 

 fig. 5) and the cover replaced, it will be ob- 

 servable that there is ample space between 

 the top of the can and the cover for the en- 

 trance of the ants, and the can, if kept in an 

 upright position, will be weatherproof. 

 About a gill of the sirup will be sufficient for 

 several months, but in he^vy infestations it is 

 better to put 2 gills in each can. It is very 

 advisable to place a fairly large piece of 

 sponge in the can. The sponge will float on 

 the sirup and allow the ants to feed in lai'ge 

 numbers. A piece of wire about 6 inches 

 long may be bent for a handle, a hook inward at each end being made. 

 The hooks may be attached under the lid of the can where it projects 

 over the part that has been indented. This forms a handle by wKich 



Fig. 4. — ParaflSned paper bags ar- 

 ranged as a container for ant 

 poison sirup. The apron lias been 

 cut away to show the ant en- 

 trance holes. Such bags are nailed 

 to trees. (Original.) 



Fig. 5. — Tin can container 

 for ant-poison sirups used 

 in outdoor experiments. 

 (Original.) 



