Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1901-03-28
A Help for Fruit Growers.

Anything that will save the orchards
growers of fruit satisfactory results
for their labor and expense is deserv-
ing of investigation and trial. Realiz-
ing the Importance of any method or
device to this end, representative OF
this paper has been looking into the
claims of the Haseltine Moth Catcher
that does away with all expensive
spraying outfits with their poisonous
solutions, which have frequently de-
stroyed valuable live stock. The cost
Of operating the Moth Catcher IS only
one-sixth the cost of spraying. The
we'll known fascination of light for
moths of all kinds is utilized by the in
Ventor, S. A. Haseltine, to clear the
orchards and gardens of insect pests
in the most effectual way-by catching
the moths before eggs are laid, so
there are no worms Matched to destroy
fruit or vegetables, or to breed more
pests for another year. The Moth
Catcher is made by placing two pol
ished rehectOrs at right angles, with
q torch in the center. The whole is
then placed over a pan or tub partly
filed with water on which floats a
little kerosene oil. The torch is lit
at or about sundown and the light.
multiplied many times by the reflect
ors, attracts the moths. They strike
the refiectors and fall into the coal
oil, which kills them instantly.
A recent visit was made to the Or
chards of Central Missouri and invest
igation made furnished conclusive evil
dence of the utility of the Moth Catch
err Four orchards were experimental
with In one locality. No. 1 was apart
and at distance from any other Or
chard. No. 3 lay between and imme-
diately adjacent to Nos. and 4. Nos.
1 and 8 were protected by Moth Catch
ers and were not sprayed, while Nos.
2 and were thoroughly and repeat
edly sprayed, but were not protected
by traps. The fruit in Nos. 2 and
showed Cat packing time) sixty per
cent damaged. In No. 3 only fifteen
per cent was damaged, and even this
small per cent is shown to be caused
from the proximity Of the other Or
chards that were not "trap-protected,
because the fruit in No. 1 was perfect.
there being scarcely any damaged
specimens in the entire orchard.
Wormy apples were placed in closed
glass jars with little earth, and
when the coddling moths were Matched.
they were found to be the same kind
as those taken from the Moth Catchers
in the orchards and at the apple
houses, where the coddling moths were
hatched in large numbers among the
old apple barrels and boxes.
The cheap, safe and reliable trap"
will prove a boon to all orchardists
from Maine to California, and will
make profitable pleasant occupation
that has hitherto been remuneratiVe
to less degree than it deserved. The
cost is only $1.00 for the protection OF
an acre, and the improved quality Of
fruit on single tree would amply re-
pay the cost.
The Central Farmer of Omaha, Neb.,
has been made general agent for sale
Of the device and through descriptive
circulars and otherwise will make
Known its merits On application
,y mail The utmost success will
De hoped for, as anything that
will preserve the fruit trees and their
product will tend to enrichment OF
he country and the happiness and
health Of its people.-20th Century
Farmer.