The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-04
SAVING THE FRUIT CROP.
More About Insecticides and Their APP

Springfield Republican.


Fruit growers the country over must
come to the conclusion sooner or later that
the only way to save the frui. crop is to
prevent insect ravages upon it. For
years we have been at the mercy of
these insect pests, and seem to
have sat quietly by and let the work
of destruction go on. And it has gone on
in ever increasing rapidity. There is but
one intelligent and effectual way to
prevent the destruction of the crops
of both large and small fruits, and
that is by spraying. Many, if not
most, of our farmers do not take
readily to these new methods as they may
style them, and it seems to be difficult
matter to awaken them to the positive
necessity of attending promptly, by the
use of improved methods, to the spraying
of their orchards. They may as well learn
first as last that such care and attention is
the price OF fine fruit. and fine fruit Is
what the market demands and what it is
willing to pay for.
Most of the insecticides now in use can
be applied by the spraying machines, of
which there are several kinds on the mar
ket. The two common insect poisons.
paris green and london purple, are readily
applied by spraying, and kero-
sene emulsion, pyrethrum, ETC., can
also be advantageously used in this
way. In spraying apple, pear
and cherry trees with paris green the pro-
portion is about one ounce of the green to
twelve gallons of water. The same should
be kept well stirred, so that il shall not
settle. as the application of the green
when it is too strong will injure the leaves
L. -.
against large number of insects, as the
Goblin moth, the potato beetle, shade tree
caterpillars. etc.
Spraying for the Goblin moth should be
done just as soon as the blossoms fall, as
then the young fruit is setting and is up
right on the stem. The insect begins its
work at the ealyx end of the fruit, and as
this is now turned upward the poison falls
on the insect as it begins eating its way
into the young fruit The operation
should he repeated after few days. As
the Goblin moth insect is the one which is
most to be dreaded in the orchards, every
possible means of preventing his begin
ming his work should be assiduously used.
In spraying for the apple scab, Professor
Bailey, OF Cornell, recommends the follow
ing solution: Dissolve an ounce of carlo n
very strong water of ammonia and then di-
lutte to twenty-five gallons. The carbonate
may be purchased at the stores or il NAV
be made at home. The following is the re
clpe: Dissolve SIX pounds of sulphate of
copper in hot water and also seven pounds
OF sal-soda in hot water. When cool pour
the soda into the copper and add a barrel
OF water; allow IL To settle again and add
more wafer, and what settles this time is
good carbonate of CONFER.
kerosene emulsion Is another good IN
Secticide, and is made as follows: Make a
soap solution by dissolving a half round
OF hard soap in gallon of boiling water
and churn it through a force pump. the
nozzle being directed hack into the vessel
until II forms a foamy mass. Now add
two quarts of Kerosene TO one part of the
soap solution. while the latter is hot. This
emulsion should he diluted before US
ing by adding nine parts of water.
This is quite cheap and at the
same time quite generally effect
uat insectlcide and can be used for the
chinchbug, cabbage worm. while grub
etc, rs we'll as insects that infest trees
IL Is recommended as the best known rem
euy Tor the new insect that has recently
been found to be injuring very badly the
apple and pear tree budS-the Psylla. AZ
this insect is little known 10 fruit-crowers
and As II IS doing considerable damage i'm
Eastern New York along the Hudson
river pear orchards. | Will quote What
Professor Lintner, the state entomologist
says Of il:
This insect, small green louise indicates
new and dangerous attack in the orchards ~
our state. IL Is the pesrtree pyslla, PssIa p.yrs
tsehmldtA few days since some annie hS.ss
We're brought me which showed a foTmidshle
attack OF the pest The living insects were seem
wheh the buds were picked. but when they
came 20 me only their dead ana xhriyeIed -
mains could he found, bur the stems hsasrinp
the buds were thokiy and couSpicuouslv coated
Nltn wath honey .dew" which had been exc.