fhe Tea insects of tnclia. 69 



containing- either kerosine oil or coai-tar, which is drawn along over the 

 ground in such a manner that many of the insects disturbed in its pro- 

 gress fall into the tray, where they are either entangled in the coal-tar 

 from which they are unable to extricate themselves, or are poisoned by 

 the action of the kerosine oil, which rapidly proves fatal to them. 



The following extracts from an admirable report by Dr. C. V. Riley, 

 United States Entomologist, on Destructive Locusts, Washington, 1891, 

 give full information upon the subject of methods of construction and 

 utilisation : — 



'' The pans that were used in Kansas and Iowa, but principally in the former 

 State, were of very simple construction and very effectual. 



" A good and clieappan is made of ordinary sheet iron, 8 feet long, 11 inches wide 

 at the bottom, and turned up a foot high at the back and an inch high at the 

 front. A runner at each end, extending some distance behind, and a cord attached 

 to each front corner, complete the pan at a cost of about $1.50 



"We have known from 7 to 10 bushels of young locusts caught with one such 

 pan in an afternoon. It is easily pulled by two boys, and by running several 

 tojfether in a row, one boy to each outer rope, and one to each contiguous pair, the 

 best work is performed with the least labour. Longer pans, to be drawn by horses 

 should have transverse partitions ... to avoid spilling the liquid ; also more 

 runners. The oil may be used alone so as just to cover the bottom, or on the surface 

 of water, and the insects strained through a wire ladle. When the insects are very 

 small, one may economise in kerosine by lining the pan with saturated cloth, but this 

 becomes less efficient afterward, and frames of cloth saturated with oil do not equal 

 the pans. Where oil has been scarce, some persons have substituted concentrated 

 lye, but when used strong enough to kill it costs about as much as the oil. The oil 

 pans can be used only when the crops to be protected are small. 



" Small pans for oil, attached to an obliquing pole or handle, do excellent service 

 in gardens. 



" Mr. A. A. Price of Rutland, Humboldt County, Iowa, sends the Commission 

 the following description of a coal oil pan to be drawn on runners, and which was used 

 with much success in North Western Iowa. . . . Take a common board from 



12 to 16 feet in length for the foundation or bed-piece. Make a tin trough 4 inches 

 deep, 6 inches wide, and as long as required. Divide the trough into partitions 

 by means of strips of tin, so that each partition is a foot long, thus avoiding the 

 spillmg of oil. Back of this place a strip of tin 16 inches wide and as long as the 

 trough. The back must be firmly secured by braces running down to the front edge 

 of the board. Under all this place three wooden runners 3 feet long and shod with iron 

 for the trough to ride on. Fill the pan half full of water, and then add a small 

 quantity of kerosine sutHcient to cover the water. A horse may be hitched to the 



machine by fastening a rope to the outside runners The lightness of 



the machine will allow of its being used on any crops." .... 



" A machine of this sort was patented by Mr. Lorenzo B. Canfield, of Syracuse 

 (Patent No. 187,509, dated Nebr., February 20th, 1877)." .... 



" This pan was sold in the west at an exorbitant price, $4 being charged for 

 royalty. Wherever we had an opportunity we advised farmers not to use it, but to 

 construct others such as we have already described, and every bit as good, at far less 



