TI[E ('ULTCRE OF TOBACCO. 



67 



end of which time thev have reached theii- full growth, and are prepared 

 to burrow into the soil and transform to pupje. 



Where this pest is not very abundant, the metliod of sendinir 

 children over the field to destroy all the caterpillars that can be found 

 is a very satisfactory one. But where the pest is abundant, the field 

 should be sprayed wdth a preparation of Paiis green. One pound of 

 Paris green to one bundled and fifty t.i two hundred gallons of water 

 IS about the right proportion. This preparation should be evenly 

 distributed over the plant by means of a spray pump with the nozzle 

 adjusted to throw a very fine misty spray. The Kna]wa<:k spray pumps 

 are well fitted for this work. i . i i 



In some localities a hand machine is used, which, by means of a 

 i-apidly moving fan, blows the pure Paris green evenly over the plant. 



With this machine, as well as with the spraying prepiaration, care must 

 be exercised that not too much of the poison be used, or the plant will 

 be injured. The poLson in no way injuies the tobacco for human con- 

 sumption, as it has been demonstrated by experiments that the poison 

 practically all disappears before the tobacco is cured. 



In many localities a method of destroying the m(.)ths themselves 

 1 jef I >ie they lay their eggs is practised. This is easily done, because of the 

 habit that the moth has of feeding on the nectar of the Datura Straiuo 

 (called Jimson or Jamestown weed in America). Quantities of this 

 Aveed are allowed to grow around the edge of the tobacco field, oi' the 

 plants may be even set here and there throughout the ci-op. Every 

 CA-ening the blossijms are poisoned by having a irew drops of the follnw- 

 ing mixture placed in them: — cobalt, one ounce ; molasses or honev, 

 (iiie-fourth pint ; water, one pint. The moths die veiy shortly after 

 partaking of this prepai-ation. When this method is used the Datura 

 should not be permitted to ripen .seed, or else it will develop into a 

 worse pest than the caterpillars. 



