564 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXVi, No. 11 
the senior writer's experiments for destruction of Eleodes suturalis 
were carried on along somewhat similar lines, though in a supplementary 
way without duplication of experimental work and with special reference 
to the habits of the species under consideration. Emphasis was placed on 
experiments for the protection of the planted seed, the destruction of the 
larva, and the destruction of the pupa and beetle. 
As the protection of the seed was deemed more especially desirable, 
much attention was given to this phase of inquiry. Wheat seed was 
treated with a great variety of preparations and then subjected to attack 
by the larva in the hope of finding some effective repellent or poison, 
but in every case these proved ineffective, for they not only failed to kill 
the larva, but, what was worse, they often retarded or entirely prevented 
the germination of the seed. Coating the seed or soaking it in solutions 
or preparations of tar, shellac, copperas, strychnine, cyanid of potassium, 
turpentine, kerosene, and similar substances all proved ineffective and 
of no practical value since either the cost was prohibitive or the larvae 
devoured quantities of treated kernels and apparently experienced no ill 
effects therefrom. It is believed that in these experiments the imprac¬ 
ticability of all methods of this general character in attempting to protect 
the seed was fully demonstrated. 
In experiments relative to the destruction of the pupa and beetle it 
was found that all the various insecticides applied to the soil in hope of 
killing the insect infesting it proved ineffective if used in reasonable 
amounts. While it is true that some of these substances, such as crude 
petroleum or turpentine, will destroy the insect when used in large 
quantities, the amount and strength necessary to accomplish this result 
often was so great as to destroy all the vegetation in the infested areas, 
and, further, to render the cost of application over large areas prohibitive. 
It was also demonstrated that certain fertilizers may have a slight value 
as insecticides, though their principal merit appears to be in the stimulation 
of the growth of the plant and in soil drainage. Salt, lime, crude potash, 
cyanide of potassium, and other substances likewise have been found im¬ 
practical since they either do not affect the larvae at all, or to do so must 
be used in quantities so enormous that they either prove destructive to all 
vegetation or are too expensive. It was found that trapping the larva and 
the adult with baits of poisoned vegetables may have a possible value in 
intensive farming on small acreages, but it is impracticable with extensive 
acreages of winter wheat and with farming methods as practiced in the 
infested areas. At the period of their greatest abundance in summer, 
repeated experiments were performed in attempts to kill the adults with 
poisoned bran mash, using the standard formulas for grasshopper control, 
but the mortality caused by use of these baits was exceedingly small and 
would not warrant expectation of obtaining practical control by such 
means. Late fall or spring plowing would be very effective in turning 
up and destroying the pupa, but as the crop on the ground usually is 
winter wheat, the nature and condition of the host plant at that par¬ 
ticular time does not of course render such treatment at all practicable. 
The easiest and most effective control measure thus far indicated is 
the judicious rotation of wheat with other crops for two or more seasons, 
especially with com or some other crop which may be regularly and 
frequently cultivated. Infestations are always much heavier where 
rotation has not been practiced. It is also highly desirable that all 
accumulations of rubbish, dead grass, matted weeds, old straw stacks, 
