The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-17
THE FARM AND GARDEN.
ENGLAND ATTACKS AurRIcASFRUIr
The board OF Agriculture Scores = Point on
the National Department md Makes an
Exposure Of the bordeaux Iaiiacy.

advance copy. The circular deals with the
false attack made in England upon American
snraved fruit, and gives some very interest
Inc facts in refutaiion. Mr.. L. a. Fulcher
Of stanton, turned over TO Henry l.. Lyman
tne chairman OF the Horticultural Committee
Of the state Board, a correspondence showing
the enmity Of English dealers 10 American
fruit among which was one written TO the
New York state Horticultural society, and it
Gives a good idea Of the situation.
AssAULTING AMERICAN APPLES.
II SAYS The English Horticultural Times
continues it's assault upon the American
apple, and is growing bOlder IN It's assertions.
ln recent number ~ saws that !. is admitted
that The American apple growers are COM
reled 90 depend upon the use OF arsenic in
solution as an insecucide IN their orchards:
that this insecticde is used upon the fruit
itself until 10 is completely saturated: that IL is
applied 10 the fruit several times before it ar
IIyes at maturity, and II the weather con-
iinues dry, the arsenic clngs 70 the fruit. and
what is not absorbed through the skin re-
mains on IL, forming a fne coating which
must evidently be detrimental 10 health, es-
lec.ally when the fruit is consumed to any
extent
4 little further on il remarks: 1.-The best
are put on the English markets are those
raised at home and those consigned by the
tasmania and American growers. Our own
take the lead, and the others in the order as
signed them above. Now. If we compare the
three together, we find delicate tint about
fle American fruit which is not to be found
upon either of the others. Again. il the
American apple, before il has been handled
!n the barrel as it comes first to hand
from the vessel, is carefully rubbed with the
finger, 10 Will be seen that a nue delicate
powder in most cases is removed This 10 the
arsenic adherng 10 the skin. and, II the irult
l- eaten at ali, IL should certainly be wiped
frst with a CLOTH. We assert that the delicate
and unnatural tint referred TO Is produced by
the arsenic which Is absorbed through the
skin.
Medical men inform as that when arsenic
is administered in small doses 1t stimulates
the action of the skin and gives clearness TO
the complexion, and 1t is for those reasons,
especially in America, that 1T has been ex-
fensively used by the fairer sex for years"
The Times then proceeds 10 declare that
these facts are published from a sense Of duty
and not solely in the interests OF home pro-
ducers.
Mr. Lyman visited Washington and per-
sOnally urged upon the Assistant Secretary
the importance Of at once proceeding with
this matter. and also urged him 10 at once
Invite lAt I ltciutut VI lu1 1hibtN rhhtSo
Board of Health 10 visit w Washington and
thoroughly investigate the whole subject.
he found that the United states secretary
OF 4 Agriculture and the Assistant secretary,
Nr. Willis. had taken a lively interest in this
subject. and a bulletin, 10 be known as arm
ers' Bulletin No. Z, has been prepared by
the department. but has been delayed, a4ait-
ing an appropriation by Congress 10 secure
its printing and circulation.
WHAT rurs ToHf,VSsTQNTR SAYS
The Commissioner in referring to the mat
ter says: Conformation similar TO that con-
tanned in the letter Of Mr. Fulcher has been
occasionally furnished thi, department, ass
we'll rs information Of wrong naming IT.
Cinia apples In foreign countries TO the detri-
ment OF our products. Virginia is the home
0i the most superior white apple-the Abe
marie pippin and the most superior red-the
wine sap. The carelessness Of her Orchardists
have done much 10 lower their classification,
and anything checking particularly I'm spray
ing and Che necessity OF vigilance and con-
uuued attention m this direction Will do HARM
I therefore publish this circular OF cores
u0ndence 1 will furnish all applicants with
c0uies of the report of this department., con-
taIning formulas and directions for the pre-
yention OF injury boy insects or fungi"
A CONMENDABLE MOVE.
II is a matter for commentator and con-
graduation that our state Board OF Agricui-
lure is moving in a matter OF so much I'M
u0rtance 10 Nirgiulans, whose best market
i0r lbs best apples is England, and that ap-
ureciating the value OF the matter 10 the state
las secured the advance sheets from Farm
crs' Bulletin No. Z referred TO above, and
gives them 10 our fruit growers anead OF Inc
department at Washington. which Is lacking
In appropriations 10 have IT printed. Inc eX-
tracts following are from this bulletin, and are
.uch a yindication of the American fruit
grower as will satisfy the minds OF any
reasonable person.
epRAIING FROM THE HYGIENE STAND
POINT.
The only insecticide sprays which are at all
dangerous tOuse are the arsenic compounds,
and even here the danger is greatly eXagger-
ated by those not cOnyersant with the tacts.
Paris green and London purple have for many
wears been extensively used IN this country
a. insecticides, and case of fatal poisoning
from their use as such has never been sub
stantiated The only danger lies in having
the poison about a farm or plantation in bulk.
ln the early days OF the use of Paris green
against the Colorado pOtatO-beetle great
deal Of opposition was developed on account
of the supposed danger, and only recently tie
sale Of American apples in England has re-
ceiyed a setback owing 10 the supposed
danger of arsenic poisoning from their con-
sumption. he question as TO Whtthtf ar
senlc may be absorbed by the growing plant
in any degree was long ago settled in the
negative by the best chemists in the country.
BIC MEAL.
II would seem al frst glance that the use of
an arsenical poison upon plant Ike the cab
haze would be very unsafe 10 recommend.
ser Paris green and London purple are used
ipOn this crop TO Kill the several species OF
leaf-eating worms which are SO destructive 10
r and an absolute absence of all danger
where the application has been properly
made has been recently shown by Professor
Gillette. of the Agricultural Experiment sta
ton OF Colorado, by the following reductio al
a9suIdum.
Where the green is busted from bag
in the proportion OF one ounce OF the poison 10
200 ounces OF flour and just enough applied 10
each head 10 make a slight show OF dust on
the leaves. say, for tWenty-eignt heads Ol CAP.
1age. one ounce OF mixture, the worms VIII
ALI be killed in the course OF two OF three
DAYS. while the average amount OF poison on
each head viii be about one-seFenlh Oh
Grain. Fully oue-half Of the powder VIII iaii
0n the outside leaves and on The ground, ana
ihus an individual viii have 70 eat ABOUT
taentv-eight be Ids Of cabbage in Order 10
consume "a poisonous dose OF arsenic, even IL
toe balance OF the poison renamed alier
Cooking.
ln case Of spraying apple orchards for the
codling.mOth there Is scarcely poSslDihy Vi
tfHff \