MANIPULATORS, LTC. 
311 
broad flappers to strike the sides of the rows. Each of these should have 
a face of several square feet area, in order not to strike individual 
branches alone and break them off. An insect machine striking by a 
broad flapper operated by a ratchet and spring* was constructed by me 
and tested on other plants about twenty years ago. This seems to me 
the safest way to apply the beating principle for removing anything 
from the plants. With each blow of the flapper there is generated a 
puff of wind for the same purpose. 
In all these eases some means of collecting or dispatching the insects is 
provided. They are collected in a tray combined with the brasher or 
flapper and carried therewith beneath the row, or a hand-tray of wood, 
metal, or cloth is applied by one hand while the other is engaged in 
removing the insects to it from the plant. An elongated pan with a 
handle on one 'side is convenient. A shallow bag of cloth or netting 
having its mouth expanded on a frame provided with a handle also 
answers well. In sncfa a net or deep cloth tray 1 recommend the use 
of a wad of cotton or a sponge filled with kerosene of the cheapest 
quality, or with benzine, which works quicker. In metal or wooden 
trays that are moderately deep the same can be used with advantage. 
Whatever is used should be wet with these Well-known insecticides, 
benzine or kerosene. In .shallow t rays a layer of cotton batting or 
other suitable fibrous or porous matrix can be used to hold more of 
the hydrocarbons than will adhere on the vessel alone. Falling on 
this cushion the worms get a good dose, and it is then not necessary to 
wet the pan so often. Tar and oilier adhesives are Less Satisfactory. 
Crushing the larva} upon the ground by the foot, by a pounder, or by 
a heavy weight dragged along are other means of annihilating the dis* 
lodged insects, and under some conditions they may be left to be de- 
voured by iusectUTOrOU8 animals or to die of the excessive cold, wet- 
ness, or dryness. These topics will have further notice below. 
The llclm Sweeper and Crusher. — This was patented in (No. 139062) 
1873, by Mr. J. Helm, of llochheim, Tex. It is a portable frame, hav- 
ing brushes of split white oak or other material drawn, upon a heavy 
drag, st addle of a row of cotton plants to sweep off the worms or pu- 
pa, and crush them beneath upon the ground. In Plate LIX, Fig. 1 
is w side elevation, Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the line, c c, of 
Fig. 1, and Fig. l\ is a front view of the machine. 
"The U tter A represents a frame composed of two bottom boards, a a f of four or 
more uprights, l> l>, and a suitable scries of cross-braces, d d. The boards a a are on a 
level and parallel to eac h other, ami have wings, c e and / /, hinged to their inner and 
outer edges, respectively. To each of the front parts, h, is pivoted, at g, a lever. B, 
which carries a wheel, C, at its front end. There are thus two such wheels, C C, that 
rest on the ground in front of the apparatus. Draft-hooks, h h, are applied to the front 
ends of the levers, B, for hitching the draft animals to by which the machine is drawn 
over the field. The levers, B, can be swung on their pivots to raise the frame, A, on 
the wheels, C, whenever stones, stumps, or other obstructions are to be avoided. In 
such case the levers, B, are or can be locked to toothed plates, ?, which are applied to 
the roar posts, b, as indicated in Fig. 1. When the machine is to be turned it is also 
