New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
HOW TO KILL ELM BEETLES.
AN ENToMoLoGIsT MAKES PUBLIC AN
EFFECTIVE ExrERMINATOR.
HIS SUCCESS IN PROTECTING ELMs IN SEVERAL
CITIEs-HABITs OF THE pEsTRUc-


TIVE INSECT.
Professor John B. Smith, the entomologfst Of the
New-Jersey State Experiment Station connected
with Rutgers College, at New-Brunswick. N. j..
has devoted a great deal Of time to the subject Of
elm beetles and how to extermnate them. The
ravages Of these insects have caused widespread
regret In various parts Of New-Jersey. New-York
and Connecticut, particularly New-Haven. ever the
destruction Of hundreds of noble elm trees and
Professor Smith was particularly busy last season
explaining his experiments and advising precautions
against the insects.
Professor Smith has found that the pests are
vulnerable to stomach poIsons. and he makes his
extermnator on the following formula: One pound
OF Paris green London purple. mixed. with $50
gallons of water; add sufficient quantity OF stone
or shell lme pound for each pound OF the poison:
In order to give better adhesive qualities. add two
quarts OF glucose, or thick molasses. to every 100
gallons Of mixture; when the water and lime have
como to the boiling point, put in the poisons. This
formula viii have no bad effect upon the trees.
for the soluble arsenic is neutrazed by the lime.
Another sure exterminator prepared by the pro-
fessor IL: Acetate OF lead. II ounces arsenate Of
soda, ounces, in 100 gallons water;
hesives to the mixture as before; thoroughly stir
and apply.
The cheapness Of these preventives and ex-
terminators Is remarkable A hundred gallons Of
the first formula, which will thoroughly spray four
large elm trees. cost about fifteen cents. Arsenate
OF soda In the second mixture may be obtained at
about eight cents a pound. and acetate Of lead at
fourteen cents pound
One Of Professor Smiths contemporaries has rec.
commended an emulsion Of kerosene a remedy.
This he declares ineffective because non sonous
Then his exterminators are much cheaper and
also sure death for any other defeating insect
whatever. There is," said he. mo difficulty to
protect the shade trees Of any city at small cost
after the first outfit Is once obtained. And truly
MI frana
to keep them in good condition"
The entomologist said further concerning the
elm beetle and its habits This insect is annually
extending its range, and is becoming more and
more troublesome wherever II exists. In many Of
our New-Jersey cities, towns and villages elms are
favorfte shade trees. and they have many char
acteristics justifying the Partially shown them.
They have been. heretofore on the whole. free
from insect Injury; but since the advent Of the
elm-leaf beetle. an undesirable immigrant from
European shores. their oIdtime beauty Is rapidly
fading and Is in many places entirely lost. In
spring the trees make brave start and become
covered with delicate green foliage beautiful to
the e?e and promising shade and shelter through
out the summer. Hardly are the leaves fully de.
veloped. however. before round holes begin to
show In them. and soon the foliage appears as IL
loads of small shot had been fired through 1t In
every drection-sure sign Of presence Of the beetle
las the season advances these holes Increase in
II tho leaves are now examined, little patches Of
yellow. bottle-shaped eggs. set In double rows may
be found everywhere on the under side. From them
little larvae hatch In due season. and these begin
10 ,ieed gnawing away the superficial layer OF cells
only and avoiding the ribs or veins. The gnawed
parches the injured foliage and by midsummer the
leaves begin TO drop. Those remaining on the trees
are brown: dry and unsightly-a sorry fuHlment Of
completed their growth, and the larvae begin to
descend the trees in enormous numbers They
work
Now, the weather conditions control somewhat
the career OF these new beetles They seek food and
their taste. Should dry weather prevail. they be.
come discouraged at the prospect go into winter
houses In barns. outhouses. under loose bark and
even In cracks and crevices OF wooden telegraph
posts there to remain in dormant condition until
NE cycle Often. when the early fall rain sets In
the thu trees recuperate little and send out new
Ingy with the dead. brown foliage which NAV re-
main on the branches. Should the season be wet
ana the trees make new start before the beetles
foliage and Will riddle 1t as in the early spring"
Professor Smith referred TO his success in pro.
and other places. He was consulted in bug natter
also by the governor of the Soldiers fIome in
washington: and the authorities OF New-Haven
shed nearly the whole Of his bulletin that has refer.
ence to the beetles In this instance they did not
ss @ has @ a sd IN Of s
collars and other similar means Of protection be-
sud he II wsrs * They ms nHPsd e
!esses after years Of experiment that he has been
toored by only one inseet-the indestruetible rose.
BY scientific means Meanwhile Il he mashes ,hem
Altogether his laboratory Is one Of the most inter.
e.stng departments Of the New-Jersey Experiment.
Station.