INSECT PESTS 



295 



MISCIBLE OIL 



KEROSENE 

 EMULSION 



2 gallons kerosene. 



3^ pound common soap. 



1 gallon water. 



Dissolve the soap in hot water, add the kerosene and churn violently 

 together until a creamy mass is formed which thickens upon 

 cooling. Dilute nine times before using. 



Fumigants 



Carbon Dtsulphtde (Bisulphide). This is an ill-smelling, inflam- 

 mable liquid which can be purchased in pound bottles. It volatilizes readily 

 at warm room temperatures, and is especially valuable for fumigating 

 stored seeds which are infested by weevils or other insects. The Hquid 

 should be placed in a shallow dish on top of the seeds, and the receptacle 

 should be covered tighlly and allowed to remain from 24 to 36 hours; two 

 fluid ounces are sufficient for the ordinary flour barrel or its equivalent. In 

 fumigating rooms and buildings, about 10 pounds are required for each 

 1000 cubic feet of space. 



Hydrocyanic Acfd Gas. Caution: This gas is deadly to all kinds of 

 animal and human life, and should be used with great care. It may be pre- 

 pared from the materials and in the proportions given below: 



Sodium cyanide 1 oz. (avoirdupois) 



Sulphuric acid (commercial) 2 oz. (fluid) 



Water 4 oz. (fluid) 



This quantity is adequate for each 100 cubic feet of space for use on 

 dormant nursery stock, dry seeds, buildings, etc. 



For greenhouses, coldframes, and hotbeds containing growing plants, 

 use one-half ounce of cyanide with proportionate amounts of acid and 

 water for each 1000 cubic feet of space. 



The cubic contents of the space to be fumigated should first be com- 

 puted carefully. The space should then be made as tight as possible, leavmg 

 doors, windows, or other openings which can be rhanipulated from the out- 

 side for the purpose of airing. 



Stoneware crocks or earthenware jars may be used as generators, and 

 should be so placed as to give the best possible distribution of the gas. The 

 proportionate quantity of acid and water should be measured for each, and 

 the cyanide weighed and placed in paper or cheesecloth bags. The water 

 should be placed in the jar and the acid poured in carefully with constant 

 stirring. When all is ready, quickly drop each bag into its jar, retiring 

 quickly, and lock the door. For greenhouses the exposure should be for 30 

 minutes, preferably toward night, or when the sun does not shine and when 

 the plants are dry. For dormant nursery stock, 30 minutes. Buildings, 

 granaries, etc., may remain closed over night. Open two or more openings 

 from the outside and wait for 30 minutes before going inside. Then quickly 

 open all sources of ventilation without breathing the gas. 



General Recommendations 



Where possible, practice rotation, and do not grow the same crops on 

 any piece of ground year after year. Always remove or destroy all tops, 

 rubbish, etc., which may harbor insects. Give the plants clean culture 

 and aUow no weeds in the garden. 



If pests appear which you cannot identify, write and send specimens 

 to your State Agricultural Experiment Station for information and advice. 



