4-H CLUB INSECT MANUAL 59 



local problem are cleverly presented with sufficient wit and humor to 

 lighten the serious thought back of the play. 



Young people engaged in insect study should be encouraged to take 

 the initiative in writing their own playlets to suit local conditions, and 

 then cast them in harmony with the talent available. This procedure 

 should be helpful in stimulating originality and sustaining interest 

 among the club members concerned. 



Each member who takes part in a playlet should keep in mind that 

 in portraying a character he should be natural ; avoid acting too me- 

 chanically; try to speak smoothly — not hesitate; practice to imper- 

 sonate the character he is to represent. 



Two playlets, which may be helpful in the preparation of others, 

 have been duplicated by the Federal Extension Service and will be 

 sent to club leaders on request. One of these playlets 3 attempts to 

 show how little the average person knows about insects and their con- 

 trol, and pokes fun at the absurd remedies recommended. There is a 

 short scene in which the insects themselves are characterized. The 

 other playlet 4 deals with a community garden contest, the difficulty 

 encountered in buying the proper insecticides in adequate amounts, 

 and a solution of this problem. 



DEMONSTRATIONS 8 



Demonstrations provide club members with the opportunity ac- 

 tively to study the details and technicalities of insect control, es- 

 pecially in relation to insects that are prevalent in their own com- 

 munities. Club members themselves not only become well informed, 

 but are thereby better prepared to pass this information on to others. 



The damage done by an insect, how it lives (life cycle), its feeding 

 habits and methods of control, constitute major points which should 

 be well developed in any 4-H team demonstration dealing with insect 

 control. These points are outlined a little more in detail in the sample 

 outline on pages 60 and 61. Club members may use this guide in 

 planning a team demonstration on the control of any insect or insects 

 found in their community, as, for example, insects on flowers, or 

 peach borer control. 



A club tour or a survey of the various kinds of insects found around 

 their homes and in their communities not only will aid club members 

 in the selection of a demonstration subject having much practical 

 value and worthy of being demonstrated, but will furnish them with 

 helpful, important data for the development of their demonstration. 

 (Note points listed under introduction in outline.) 



The insect, the host, 6 and some evidence of the damage caused by 

 the insect should be shown in the introduction. A chart or poster 

 presenting important data on the insect or demonstration subject, 

 resulting possibly from a club survey, makes the introduction more 

 convincing because it helps to emphasize the need for good control 

 methods. 



In presenting the demonstration, material such as models of 

 insects or charts should be kept out of sight except when in use. 



3 Jones, M. P. striped cucumber-beetle control. Ext. Serv. 1939. r Mimeographed.] 



4 Jones, M. P. buying insecticides. Ext. Serv. 1939. [Mimeographed.] 



5 Demonstrations may be given at the fifth meeting, in June, and the sixth meeting, in 

 July. See calendar of activities for third-year work. . 



6 The host of an insect is the plant or animal or i,ts products on which the insect reeds, 

 such as cabbage for the cabbageworm or furs and woolens for the clothes moth. 



