Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 81, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 April 1916 — Insects and Some Remedies [ARTICLE]

Insects and Some Remedies

Insect pests attacking plants In the garden or house are of two general classes, those which chew the foliage, flowers or fruits, and those which liYe by sudking the plant Juices. It Is Important that the remedy he made to fit the two distinct conditions produced, v The three usual methods of combating Insect pests are first, preventive; second, by poisoning the food they eat, and third, destruction by direct contact spray. Some of the best insecticides are as follow*: Tobacco—Either In the form of to bacco dust, tobacco stems of nicotine extract. Tobacco dust can be purchased at a cost of 3 or 4 cents a pound in bulk. Tobacco dust is used for dusting around on the ground at the base of the plants and sometimes for dusting directly on leaves of plants. It is an effective preventive measure against infestation by the tiny plant lice, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, rose beetles and fbf similar forms of Insects. It can be used freely as it is not Injurious to the foliage of plants. Tobacco stems scattered around the base of plants act as a good mulch as well as an effective insect preventive. Nicotine extract Is, as the term implies, a tobacco Juice, and can be made by soaking a package of ordinary chewing tobacco in a bucket of water and used as a . spray against plant lice and several species. Nicotine extract also comes In a number of commercial forms, some of which contain kerosene or other insecticidal oils which serve to make protective emulsion.

These proprietary forms can be obtained from any reliable seed store. Directions for use are given on the containers. Arsenate of lead is the name given to one of the best arsenical poisons used in combating leaf-eating Insects. It comes in the form of a thick creamy paste to be diluted with water as directed on the package and sprayed with a small pump over the foliage. Bordeaux Mixture is the standard remedy for protection against blights and fungus diseases. It may be used either alone, or where the plants are afTected by insect pests arsenate of lead can be added with perfect safety. It can be obtained with directions for use at any reliable seed store. Concentrated Lime and Sulphur Solution is a proprietary remedy used as a winter spray and is most effective against scale insects infesting fruit and shade trees. It is not a Base remedy to be used in the kitchen or vegetable garden. - Hellebore is used for dusting over the foliage of currant bushes, gooseberries and other small fruits early in the season against infestation by current worms and similar pests. Kerosene Emulsion is one of the safest and most effective insecticides for sucking insects such as aphids, plant lice, cabbage worms and squash bugs. This is easily made by dissolving a, half pound of soap in a quart of boiling water, to which should be added two gallons of kerosene and one gallon of water. Churn thoroughly until the mixture becomes creamy. This is the stock solution and should be diluted with from ten to fifteen parts of water before applying to plants. Use this as a spray. pntaow P«m Mash—Tn make polaon bran mash take twenty-five pounds of bran or coarse flour, a half pound of Paris green, mix thoroughly and then add a half pint of molasses and t enough water to make the mash thick * ehough to spread. Spread on the ground In small quantities where cut worms are troublesome. . if only a small amount is required use a quart of bran, one tablespoonful of molasses and a teaspoonful of Paris green. Ready for Fungus. In fighting fungus diseases it is necessary to apply what Is known as a fungicide, or a preparation which will cover completely all of the spores on the affected part of the tree or shrub, thus preventing any further germination. In this way the disease is held in check, that is to say, provided application is made frequently enough during the spring and early summer months. Spraying with a fungicide is really a prevention rather than a cure. Its application should be begun before the disease has gone too far; that is to say, In a good many cases it should be applied before the disease is apparent If you have fungus disease on your fruit or vegetables this year you should spray sufficiently early the following spring to avoid a repetition of this trouble. A good rule to go by is to spray your fruit trees and vegetables which are susceptible to fungus diseases earfy every spring, at two-week intervals until the summer is well advanced. Following this rule yannot do any harm and it is a good means of Insuring against these diseases, which may spring up later If not attended to la advance. r -