The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-06-19
INSECTS IN STORED GRAIN.

Owing to the large cotton and the
small cOrn acreage throughout the
South this season, it is quite desira-
BILE to keep any surplus corn over I'M
til next year. At this season, how
ever, weevils are very numerous and
unless they are given attention will
destroy a large per cent of the corn at
present in the cribs. Whenever corn
becomes low in a crib, the weeyilS es-
cape to the fields where they begin
their work on the new crop. If, how
ever, plenty Of corn remains in the
crib before the new crop is gathered,
the weevils continue feeding on the
corn in the crib. 1t is thus very i'm
portant that the corn remaining In a
crib is treated for the weevils before
a crop is gathered.
There is but n effective remedy
for insects Of all kinds in stored grain
and this consists of the application of
bisulphide of carbon. China berries,
jimson weed, and the like have no eff
feet either in killing the weevils or in
keeping them away. Salt has some
effect if enough is used, but the best
effective remedy is the application of
the carbon bisulphide. This is a vol
atile liquid the fumes of which are
heavier than air, and it is best ap-
piled by simply pouring it over the
top of the grain. The fumes thus
evaporate at once and form a deadly
atmosphere within which animal life
cannot live. 1t is thus effective in
killing any rats or mice which may be
In the corn as well as killing the vice.
wills. The amount to be applied will
depend on the tightness of the bin or
crib containing the grain. One pound
to the hundred bushels will be effect
i've in a tight bin, but in the ordinary
crib with corn in the husk five pounds
of bisulphide to the hundred bushels
of corn should be used. The fumes of
the b%isulDhide are %inAammable and
no light or lighted cigars should be
brought near where the bisulphide
has been used. The fumes pass away
within about twenty-four hours, after
which there is no danger from this
source.
Where can the bisulphide be OBJ
tanned and at what price? As a rule
the local druggists keep but a few
pounds on hand and charge from 20 to
Is cents per pound for it. 1t can be
obtained from the manufacturer,
however, Edward II. Taylor, Cleve-
land, Ohio, for IL cents per pound in
ten pound cans or 10 cents per pound
in fifty pound cans. The local drug
gists can obtain it from the wholesale
houses at prices which enable them to
sell at the above price. Where less
than ten pounds Is obtained, Is cents
per pound is a fair price. So that II
the local druggist keeps it, it is best
to get 1t Of him OF have him order it
for you. II the local druggist does
not or will not keep it, or II his prices
are too high, 1t Is perhaps best to get
the bisulphide direct from the manu-.
facturer. A fifty pound can should be
kept on every farm. What Is not
used this season will do equally well
for next year. But there are other
uses for the bisulphide aside from the
destruction of weevils 10 corn. 1t is
equally useful for killing ants in a
hill, or for killing wccvils in peas.
Paint which has been allowed to dry
up can be made useful and old paint
brushes can be made new by its use.
II. Il. WEED,
Entomologist Experiment Station,
Agricultural College, Miss,