The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1905-06-01

Quence cut worms OF all sizes can De
found in the spring. These insects, &C
cording to the species, may pass the
winter in the state of either perfect
moth, a chrysalis, partially grown
caterpillar, or an egg. In all cases
where they come in large numbers 1t
is necessary to quickly apply the most
effective remedy that may be at hand,
and many of the remedies may be read
lily applied by any rancher as soon as
cut worms are to be found. The use OF
the poisoned bran remedy is strongly
recommended it having proved in
many sections to be the most effica-
cious. This bran mixture is most at
tractive to cut worms, being preferred
to plants. There are two ways OF
making this: Thoroughly mix to-
gether in a dry state so pounds of
bran and one pound of Paris green;
then add water little sweetened with
sugar until the whole is thoroughly
wet but not sloppy. The other method
is to wet the bran with water slightly
sweetened; then dry this by mixing in
more bran until the whole is appar-
emily dry again, but, as matter OF
fact, there will be sufficient imper-
ceptible moisture to make the poison
adhere. When bran is perfectly dry
Paris green falls quickly to the bottom
and is difficult to mix with bran. Paris
green being a deadly poison care must
be exercised to keep it out of the reach
of children and domestic animals.
Large numbers of worms may be
destroyed by placing between the rows
of an infested crop, or at short dis
lance apart on infested land, bundles
of any succulent weed or other Vege-
tation which have been poisoned by
dipping into strong mixture OF Paris
green 1.-TWO ounces to pailful OF wa
teri. The cut worms eat the poisoned
plants, then bury themselves and die.
In hot, dry weather these bundles
should be placed out after shutdown
and a shingle may be laid over each
to prevent fading. Of course due pre-
caution must be taken that children
and animals do not touch the poisoned
plants.
Cut worms are heavy bodied In
sects. unable to climb smooth surfaces,
therefore surrounding plant or tree
with band of tin or even heavy paper,
in the case of such plants as cabbage
and tomatoes, is an efficient means or
protection. Tin bands may easily be
had by utilizing old cans after throw
ing them in the fire and loosening the
soldering so they come apart. Cans
may be used whole or cut in two and
tubes be made by bending them around
the handle of spade or broom. In
placing them around plant the two
ends can be sprung apart and the stem
of the plant admitted, then the tube
should be pressed short distance into
the ground.
Another good plan to prevent cut
worms ascending fruit trees is to cut
cotton batting in strips about four
inches wide and sufficiently long to
go around the trunk of the tree and to
overlap an inch or So These bands
should be tied on the tree with Irvine
on the lower edge, then turn the upper
edge so as to form sort of umbrella
shaped obstruction, over which the
worms are unable to climb, especially
if the edge Of the cotton is a little
teazed out.
Traps made of disused tins, short
sections Of drain pipes and similar
things sunk in the ground and covered
with boards, allowing sufficient room
all around for the worms to creep dn-
der. will capture numbers OF them