*  *  1BKHU 
 
 UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE 
 
 Bureau  of  Entomology  and  Plant  Quarantine 
 
 Washington,  D.  C. 
 
 B.  E.  P.  Q.  U99,  Supplement  No.  2 
 
 Sec.  301. USa  ADMINISTRATIVE  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  INSPECTORS 
 .  ON  THE  TREATMENT  OF  NURSERY  PRODUCTS,  FRUITS, 
 VEGETABLES,  AND  SOIL,  FOR  THE  JAPANESE  BEETLE 
 
 Methyl  bromide  treatment  schedule  for 
 fruits  and  vegetables  modified 
 
 (Approved  June  1,  I9U0;  effective  June  k,    I9U0) 
 
 Results  of  further  experiments  in  methyl  bromide  fumigation  of  pro- 
 duce for  compliance  with  certification  requirements  of  Quarantine  No.  k8 
 indicate  that  the  dosage  may  be  reduced  from  5  pounds  to  k   per  refrigerator 
 car  at  a  temperature  of  S0°  F.  and  retain  effectiveness  of  the  treatment 
 against  adult  Japanese  beetles.   The  modified  treatment  will,  it  is  believed, 
 reduce  the  cost  of  fumigation  as  well  as  the  possibility  of  injury  to  cer- 
 tain fruits  and  vegetables.   Circular  B.  E.  P.  Q.  ^99.  issued  June  9,  1939, 
 is  accordingly  hereby  modified  by  changing  subsection  (q)  on  page  19  of  the 
 mimeographed  circular  to  provide  for  alternative  treatments  as  follows: 
 
 (q)  METHYL  BROMIDE  FUMIGATION 
 
 (l)  Refrigerator  cars 
 
 Equipment. — Refrigerator  cars  must  have  sound,  well-fitting  doors  and 
 hatches,  and  be  in  condition  satisfactory  to  the  inspector.  Standard  cloth 
 screens  for  covering  the  hatches  and  a  temporary  cloth  screen  for  covering 
 one  door  during  ventilation  are  essential.  An  electric  blower  of  not  less 
 than  750  CFM  capacity  against  ^-inch  water  pressure,  equipped  with  devices 
 for  lowering  into  the  bunker  and  securing,  so  that  the  blower  outlet  butts 
 against  the  bunker  screen  unimpeded  either  by  studs  or  burglar  bar. 
 
 Temperature  and  dosage. — The  temperature  in  the  car  during  the  treat- 
 ment must  be  at  least: 
 
 •  (i)   80  F.  with  a  dosage  of  1.6  pounds  for  each  1,000  cubic  feet, 
 or  h   pounds  per  refrigerator  car;  or 
 
 (ii)   70  F.  with  a  dosage  of  2  pounds  for  each  1,000  cubic  feet, 
 or  5  pounds  per  refrigerator  car. 
 
 Period  of  treatment.— Two  hours  from  the  end  of  the  fumigant  release 
 period. 
 
UNIVERSITY  OF   FLORIDA 
 
 Application. — The  doors  must  "be  closed  tightly  and  the  ice  drips 
 properly  plugged.   The  methyl  "bromide  may  he  either  weighed  or  measured  and 
 released  through  a  copper  or  "brass  applicator  tube  of  J-inch  "bore.   This 
 tube  must  "be  fitted  with  a  disc-type  spray  nozzle  and  must  he  bent  in  a  "U" 
 shape  at  the  end,  so  that  the  spray  nozzle  is  directed  upward  toward  the  cen- 
 ter of  the  hunker  and  not  less  than  1  foot  below  the  ceiling  during  the  re- 
 lease of  the  fumigant.   The  blower  must  be  in  continuous  operation  during  the 
 release  of  the  fumigant,  and  for  5  minutes  thereafter.  At  the  end  of  this 
 period  the  blower  may  be  removed  and  transferred  to  the  next  car.   The  fumi- 
 gant must  be  released  in  a  split  dosage.   When  a  5-p^un<l  dosage  is  applied, 
 3  pounds  must  be  released  in  the  bunker  through  the  hatch  across  from  the 
 blower,  and  2  pounds  in  the  bunker  at  the  opposite  end  of   the  car  and  in  line 
 with  the  blower.  When  a  U-pound  dosage  is  applied,  2  pounds  must  be  re- 
 leased in  the  blower  end,  and  2  pounds  at  the  opposite  end  of  the  car  as  de- 
 scribed above. 
 
 Modification  of  this  method  of  application  nay  be  made  upon  authori- 
 zation of  an  inspector. 
 
 Ventilation. — At  the  end  of  the  exposure  period,  all  hatches  must  be 
 immediately  propped  open  and  screened,  and  the  drip  plugs  removed.   One  door 
 must  be  opened  and  screened  for  a  period  of  20  minutes,  following  which  it 
 should  be  closed  and  sealed.   If  the  car  is  to  be  moved  within  half  an  hour, 
 the  opening  of  the  door  may  be  omitted. 
 
 Commodities  treated. — The  treatment  is  approved  for  the  following  fruits 
 and  vegetables:   White  potatoes,  sweetpotatoes,  onions,  tomatoes,  snap  beans, 
 lima  beans,  sweet  corn,  cabbage,  carrots,  beets,  apples,  and  peaches. 
 
 (2)  Fumigation  house,  room,  and  box 
 
 The  commodities  listed  above  may  be  fumigated  in  approved  fumigation 
 chambers.   The  same  requirements  as  to  dosage,  circulation  period,  exposure, 
 temperature,  and  screening  of  doors  listed  under  refrigerator  car  fumigation 
 apply.   Trie  chamber  must  be  ventilated  with  the  ventilating  equipment  in  con- 
 tinuous operation  for  half  an  ho>ur. .  All  ventilator  intakes  must  be  protected 
 with  8-mesh  wire  screen.   The  ventilating  fan  must  run  during  both  the  plac- 
 ing and  removal  of  the  load.   In  addition,  the  requirements  for  screened  load- 
 ing facilities  and  the  subsequent  certification  of  loads  must  be  met.  (Issued 
 under  Sec.  301.US)   p.  E.  P.  Q.  U99,  Supplement  Ho.  2] 
 
 AVERY  S.  HOYT, 
 Acting  Chief,  Bureau  of  Entomology  and  Plant  Quarantine.