Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1895-04-18
THE HORN FLY.
Various Recipes For Keeping This Pest |
Awav From Cattle.
An neriopltnrnl nrofessor writes:

"The flea suck blood from the cattle,
producing irritation and worry to such
an extent as to cause decrease in milk
from third to one-half. 1t has been
our observ alton that dark colored cattle
ere moro subject to attack from the
hornfiy than are cattle Of lighter col
Or, one often seeing white and black
COW standing side by side where the
former will be nearly exempt from at
tack by the flies, while the latter will
be covered with them. Some writers
claim that the thin skinned animals are
most attacked, but this has not been
our observation, color having more to
do with the attack than has anything.
''The best application to kill the flies
Is kerosene emulsion. In 1899 we ex-
perimented quite successfully in this
line. The milk emulsion was used,
made by mixing thoroughly one part of
slightly sour milk with two parts of
kerosene and then diluting this with 10
to 10 parts Of water. The emulsion was
applied to the animals at milking time
by means OF a knapsack sprayer, direct
ing the spray directly upon the flies as
much as possible. After three applica-
tions in as many days the flies were
killed ont so that they were not again
numerous until nearly three weeks
later. In 1898 tbs emulsion remedy was
again tried, but not with as favorable
results. The crude coStonseed oil and
tar mixture being 80 cheap and SO easily
applied, we have adopted this method of
treatment "a the best"
The New England Farmer recon-
mends also a kerosene emulsion and
says:
Kerosene as an insecticide kills by
contact and is especially appropriate
for lice, red spiders and insects of that
class An insect immersed in kerosene
is at once deprived Of life, and it IS dis
agreeable to other insects even where it
does not kill them.
By finely dividing it into mist or dew
it still retains it's power without endan-
gering the tender plants or the skins of
animals. This division is brought about
by emulsifying the kerosene. For this
purpose Professor Fernald says: "Dis-
solve half pound of yellow bar soap
in a gallon of water. When it boils,
pour this solution into a vessel with 2
gallons of kerosene. Mix the whole
with some force. This process of mix
ing is best done by means of force
pump by pumping the mixture back in
to itself In from three to five minutes
it becomes a white creamy emulsion and
will remain in this condition several
days, especially if kept in cool place. :"
A quart of this compound added to
8 to 10 quarts of water and we'll stir I'd
will still keep the form of an emulsion
and give the right proportion of kero-
sene to water for destroying insects
without injuring either plants or ami
mails.
This emulsion is valuable for destroy
ing vermin in domestic animals aud
also in henhouses. When sprayed upon
COWS just be fore milking in the summer,
there will be no trouble h~the kick
ing at flies or being uneasy through the
tormenting of these pests.
An emulsion which the government
approves has sc per cent kerosene and
"a per cent strong soap suds or sour
milk. The department also recommends
using whale oil soap.
D. A. Kneeland of Vermont has also
his way of 'estroying the fly and drops
into poetry ,ver it as follows: 81 read
in your good paper how the dairy farmer
tries all ways in vain to euchre those
determined Texas flies. Now, I've tried
buhach, sulphur, tar, grease and all
such stuff, carbolic acid, too-no good
But now I N up to snuff, and if your
gentle readers all will do as I direct
they'll thank me then for writing and
be happy, expect. Take parts lard,
OF cotton oil, and 1 of kerosene and
slightly oily make spot, the neck and
back between. GA place where flies most
congregate, just where the waving tail
of angry Mistress Brindle will not
pound them like aail.) A spot the
size of broad brim hat is plenty large
enough. Then through sacking bag or
rag dust on some good Scotch snuff.
The oil helps hold the snuff in place,
and little dar-r-r-ling fly will, aspect
ing, light thereon and eat thereof and
die
Live Stock Points.