May 1, 1889, the Entomological Department of the Cornell Agricultural Experiment Station set sixx trap lanterns, at considerable distances apart, on the University farm for the purpose of determining their value as an insecticide. Each trap consisted simply of a common lantern set in a pan of water whose surface had a thin film of kerosene upon it to facilitate the destruciton of the insects caught/ The lanterns were kept burning every night until Oct. 15, 1889, or until no more insects were attracted.