REMEDIES. 
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” in this case 
especial'}-, for when squash hugs once get well started in a field it 
is almost impossible to get rid of them. Insecticides are as a 
rule of but little value. Poisons would be of no use as the insect 
does not bite the tissue but :ucks the sap from beneath. There are 
fecv odors more offensive than that emitted by this “old timer sin- 
ner,” and a repellent that would drive a more respectable bug 
away will have little or no effect upon this one. So far as has been 
observed, those farmers on Long Island who have succeeded best 
in combating this pt st are those who do not allow any rubbish to 
accumulate on or near their squash fields. Clean culture is always 
embarassiug to the squash-bug. 
Several farmers have asked with regard to the value of kerosene 
emulsion, insect powder, etc., as a remedy for the squash bug. As 
before stated, insecticides and repellants are generally considered of 
but little value in this case. However, the following account of 
experiments and observations may be of interest : 
Early in September a field of squashes in the vicinity of 
Brooklyn was found to be badly infesttd by this insect. 
Owing to the great number of insects present and the different 
stages represented, this field furnished a very good opportunity for 
testing the effect of Bisulfide of Carbon. Accordingly two fluid ounces 
of the Carbon were poured into a shallow dish and placed near a 
fallen and withered leaf upon which were numerous squash bugs of 
all sizes. A large sheet-iron bucket, which happened to be near at 
hand, about three feet across the top, was inverted over the whole 
and the edges forced into the ground to prevent the circulation of 
air. At the end of half an hour the bucket was removed and about 
fifty bugs which were nearest the dish were apparently dead. 
Twenty-five of them, the older ones, revived soon after being 
exposed to the air. The Carbon was only partially evaporated. 
Subsequent experiments, both in the field and laboratory, showed 
that a much less amount of Carbon is sufficient but that the insects 
should be exposed for a much longer time. The young bugs are 
much more susceptible than the mature insects. The weather was 
cool with a stiff breeze blowing. On a warm day the liquid would 
have evaporated more rapidly and thus been more effective. 
The Bisulfide of Carbon Could be applied in the spring when 
the young vines are bei g attacked by the newly hatched insects. 
Any tight covering sufficiently large to cover the vines should be 
placed over the hill and a very little Bisulfide in a shallow dish 
placed under it and allowed to remain for an hour or two. It is 
hoped that some* experiments of this kind may be tried in the 
spring. 
