Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1918 — PLAN TO ERADICATE ALFALFA CUTWORMS [ARTICLE]

PLAN TO ERADICATE ALFALFA CUTWORMS

Poisoned Bran Mash Proves Sue-* cessful in Arizona at Cost of $1 Per Acre. (From the United States Department eC Agriculture.) Poison bran mash, costing approximately $1 per acre, has been exception- , ally successful in killing alfalfa cut- ( worms in Arizona, according to reports to the entomological service of the United States department of agriculture. About 98 per cent of thei larvae were killed by this treatment, and arsenate of lead seemed to bo fully as effective as paris green in the experiments. It was possible to tell three days after a field had been treated whether or not the method wras effective. The following ,is the standard formula for preparing poisoned mash for this purpose: Fifty pounds of wheat "bran; two pounds paris green or four pounds l>owdered arsenate of lead; six finely chopped oranges or , lemons. Bring the whole mixture to the consistency of a stiff dough by the addition of lowgrade molasses, such as is used in cattle rations, adding water when necessary. Distribute this bait by broadcasting over the infested field, taking ' care to sprinkle it thinly but evenly throughout the field. In case bran, cannot be obtained readily, middlings or alfalfa meal may be substituted. With this mash distributed as directed there is no danger of poisoning cattle or domestic animals that graze in the field where It has been placed. The mash should be scattered In the field Immediately after it Is prepared. Ifci however, it is left standing abont the house, it should be kept out of the reach of children.