132 REPORT 4, UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 
attacks of these moths, as, by means of the spinous tip of their tongue, 
they literally work through the skin, suck out the juices, and excavate 
large holes. Fi^s and melons are often injured in the same way ; in- 
deed, it is almost impossible to raise some of the finer varieties of figs if 
these moths are abundant. 
There was some hope of beneficial results being obtained by using 
baits that would prove at the same time attractive and destructive to 
the moths, since, if we kill the parents, we prevent the injury by then? 
progeny. Taking advantage of the fondness of the moths for sweet 
substances, many planters have been in the habit of breaking open ripe 
watermelons, sprinkling tbem with Paris green or arsenic, and deposit- 
ing them in cotton fields. Yery good results have followed, so far as the 
destruction of the moths is concerned; and it is a little surprising, 
viewed with the preconceived notions of entomologists, that compar- 
atively coarse substances like these minerals should be sucked up 
through the proboscis. 
A number of experiments, with a view of testing the most attractive 
as well as the most deadly substances, have been made in various parts 
of the cotton belt during the past few years under our direction. Kipe 
peaches dusted with arsenic or drenched with a solution of arsenic and 
dried peaches moistened with water and poisoned in the same way, were 
placed in boxes on the ground in the fields. On examining the boxes 
the next morning, several dead moths were found in those containing 
the fresh peaches, but none in those with the dried ones. Experiments 
with a mixture of molasses and rum, or vinegar, or beer, poisoned with 
a small quantity of arsenic, Paris green, London purple, or cyanide of 
potassium, and smeared on the trunks of trees, or on fence poles near 
cotton fields, or again on the leaves of the plants, also proved that a 
number of moths may be killed in this way, though it is difficult, if not 
impossible, to get at the exact number, since many fly away before 
dying. The mixture of molasses and beer seems to have the greatest 
attractiveness, and the virtue of all these mixtures for this purpose may 
be enhanced by the addition of the essence or flavoring extracts of 
certain fruits, as peaches and apples. None of these mixtures are as 
attractive, however, as the fruits themselves, or even as watermelons. 
The liquids may be employed not only by smearing in the manner set 
forth, but also in shallow tin pans or vessels placed in the fields upon 
pedestals, as in the case of the lamps to be described. Where such 
pans or other vessels are used there should be a wooden lattice- work 
made to float on the liquid, so that the moths may reach it without 
drowning, and thus be able to get away to perish elsewhere and make 
room for others. These liquids are frequently used in wide-mouthed 
bottles distributed over the fields. One general rule should be observed 
in the employment of these liquids and poisons. It is that they be 
placed in the field only about sunset, and not allowed to remain during 
the day j otherwise, more beneficial than injurious insects are actually 
