Arizona republican., 1917-07-07
GRASSHOPPERs MENACE;CURES
 ARE OUTLINED

LULU " U
 A. W. Merrill, state entomologist. has issued an important bulletin to farmers giving information as to methods of handling the grasshopper menace which is some solated sections, is serious. Mir Morrill's bulletin is as follows:
 Grasshoppers are now in need of at tention in the Salt River Valley anc probably in other sections of Arizona although no definite reports from other sections have so far been received. Dur ing the past few years poisoned baits have been used against grasshoppers In nearly all parts of the United States with notable success, and farmers should be prepared to protect their crops by this simple method when nec- essary
 A Standard Formula
 Wheat bran (coarse), pounds ..Z5 Paris green, pound .....1 Lemons or oranges Chopped fine)
 uoZen ...................,..- F Moasses CRlack Strap, quarts .. water gallons ................ 31A to
 Thoroughly mix the dry bran anC Paris green. The fruit, both rind anu pulp, should be put through a meat grinder. The molasses added to the bran Paris green mixture and thor oughly worked in. The balance of the water is added as needed to make q uniform stiff mash. In preparing the poisoned bait a wooden paddle or hoe should be used instead of the bare hands.
 Substitutes
 Successful grasshopper baits have been made of various materials. Wheat bran IS most commonly used as the bulk ingredient, but alfalfa meal an0 middlings appear to be equally good. Paris green is the most commonly used poison but either London purple, arsenate of lead, arsenite of zinc or ordinary powdered white arsenate can be substituted in amounts varying aC- cording to the percentage of arsenic. Molasses adds much to the attractive ness of the bait and should not he omitted. Black Strap moAsses or the cheapest grade of cooking molasses available should be used Table syrups are considered to be of little or no value in grasshopper baits. Instead of one pound of Paris green 212 pounds of London purple (20 per cent metallic arsenic) may be used. Powdered ar senate of lead may be substituted ac- cording to it's percentage of arsenic. If it contains the equivalent of r per cent metallic arsenic for example, , pounds may be substituted for one pound or Paris green. If it contains the equiva lent of 20 per cent metallic arsenic 212 pounds should be used. One and q third pounds of arsenite of zinc con taining the equivalent of 20 per cent metallic arsenic may be substituted | z T0fx, .I-t. ed white arsenic contains near.y one pound of Paris green. Powdered white arsenic contains nearly twice as much arsenic as Paris green and is no doubJ proportionately more effective. For some reason, which is not apparent, it is usually recommended to substitute this for Paris green, pound for pound. The substitution of crushed ripe toma toes or watermelons for the lemons or oranges is mentined in Farmers Bull letin Number TAT, of the U. $. Depart . ment of Agrculture, but no details ni regard to the comparative values ale ! given.
 Method of Distributing
 ! The poison bait should be scattered 1 broadcast through the infested fields by hand or distributed with broad cast grain seeder Grasshoppers are easier to kill with poison baits after they become half grown than in the carrier stages. Three lemons CT or anges can be used instead of six when all of the insects or nearly all are more than half grown. One lot of the mix ture made with p pounds of bran is sufficient to poison the hoppers on five to ten acres, depending on the abund ance of the insects. Good results have been obtained in Arizona by distribut l ing in the early morning beginning at 1 daybreak Some consider that equally good results are obtained when the bait l is distributed late in the afternoon. Be Prepared
 l Alfalfa and cotton growers should watch their fields carefully for the ap- pearance of large swarms of grasshop- pers The young hoppers are apt to be overlooked and much damage result be fore the extent of the infestation is req lzed. Paris green and other arsenica poisonS are scarce this season and Ii your local dealer cannot supply you notify the State Entomologist. Blact Strap molasses will be stocked this sea son by two seed houses in Phoenix Heretofore this has not been available in this state For detailed informa tiof in regard to the habits of grasshopper' and methods of control see Timer, Hints for Farmers, No. 104 Arizons Agricultural Experiment Station ant Farmers Bulletin No. 747 of the L. $ Department of Agriculture.
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