REMEDIAL MEASURES AND CONCLUSIONS. 53 
and good, but if the farmer finds that the bugs on the stalks sprayed 
are alive when examined an hour after being sprayed, he should use 
a stronger solution even if it does injure the corn. 
Crude oil. — During the summer campaign an experiment was per- 
formed in Mr. Metcalf's field at Cherryvale, in which crude oil was 
applied directly to the cornstalks when they were badly infested 
with bugs. It was at first supposed that the oil might kill the corn ; 
but it was found that, when applied to the lower portion of the stalks 
and the lower leaves, little or no harm resulted. 
A field of corn lying north of a wheat field was exposed to a mi- 
gration of chinch bugs. No barrier was used and consequently the 
bugs migrated into the corn. It was noticed that the great majority 
of the bugs were located on the stalks and lower leaves. A badly 
infested row was used for experiment and a checkrow, as yet unin- 
fested, was treated in the same way. A bucket of crude oil was taken 
into the field and the oil dashed on the corn and the bugs with a 
bunch of coarse weeds gathered along the roadside. At the first 
stroke many of the bugs dropped to the ground, and the weeds were 
used to dash oil on them. Each hill in the row was liberally treated 
with oil and also the ground about the hill wherever the bugs were 
seen. The bugs were killed instantly and the oil protected the stalks 
from further attack. The two treated rows were watched for injury 
to the corn due to the oil. A personal inspection a month later 
showed no harm done, and a letter from the owner in the autumn 
declared that the rows matured corn in normal manner. The only 
precaution taken in applying the oil was to prevent the oil from get- 
ting into the crown of the young leaves. This method has not been 
tested thoroughly enough to warrant us in giving it our unqualified 
recommendation, but so far it has proved very destructive to the 
bugs and has not resulted in any material injury to the corn. 
The use of sprays or crude oil should not take the place of barriers, 
but should be used as a supplementary measure only. ( See PI. V, fig. 2.) 
The expense of making this campaign is very slight compared with 
the loss which the chinch bugs will occasion if not molested. The 
reasons mostly given by the farmers for not taking up this fight 
against the bugs is that they do not have time to bother with it. But 
if it is profitable to employ help to raise a crop it would seem that it 
ought to be profitable to put forth some little effort to save it after 
it is raised. 
How to secure concerted action. — This whole subject needs to be 
agitated among the farmers. Township meetings should be called, 
the question discussed, and an organization formed for concerted 
action. At the first meeting called perhaps only a small number of 
farmers, the most progressive, will attend. With the organization 
formed, the agitation should be taken up by everyone interested. A 
time should be set for burning in the fall and efforts made to get 
