Deadly " Rods" of Derris Powder.--(U. S. Department of Agriculture Clip Sheet No. 8Ol.) Derris powder is deadly to the cattle grub but considerable difficulty is encountered in getting the powder into contact with it living beneath the hide of a cow's back. A most effective method of making this necessary contact is to prepare a mixture of an ounce of derris powder, 3//4 ounce of gum arabic, ~ ounce of glue and ~ ounce of tannic acid powder. Add enough water to make a stiff paste and roll into slender rods, which become brittle when dry.
The treatment consists of inserting the rod into the hole through which the grub entered the hide, and breaking it off at the surface of the skin leaving the opening effectually plugged with a small section of the rod. This kills the grub and has proved much quicker than older methods.
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Employees' Ideas Effect
Economies.--The Pennsylvania Railroad reports that during the past six years I1,233 suggestions for improving service and operations have been sent in by the employees. Many of the suggestions have proved practical and to be of real value. In 19o8, when the "Bureau of New Ideas" was established, 9.2 per cent. of the suggestions received were adopted in whole or in part, while in the first ten months of 1933, 40.4 per cent. of the suggestions finally acted upon were adopted.
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