The Somerset reporter., 1900-05-17
H& s16 .s 49,. -
AGARM' F0g2D
aAD GARDEN
CONCERNING SPRAYING.
The Newer Things or Things We
Know Better Than Formerly.

The Newer Things or Thfngn we
Know Better Than Formerly.
The importance of spraying Is now
very generally admitted, though occa-
sioEally a nan, having received little
benefit from 1t one season. may ques-
ton its necessity. The one who be-
lieves in precautions is likely to prac-
tlce spraying. for it is known that II
kills insects and checks fungus, and
the incursions of these troubles are ell
Their really increasing or receiving the
greater attention due to such destruc-
tive agencies. A few of the latest
points In this branch of farm practice
are presented In anticipation OF the
coming season by Professor l.. Ii. Bal
ley of Cornell.
What Is new In spraying? he asks
and answers the question thus; Per
haps nothing which experimenters are
ready to recommend, but we know
some things better than we did last
year. One of these Is that the old Kerr
osene and soap emulsion, the vilest or
connections, seems to be doomed. The
kerosene and water emulsion is to take
its place The insecticidal properties
of this mixture have long been known.
but 1t has needed practicable me-
chanical device to mix them. There
are two great difficulties in this me-
chanical problem - the difficulty OF
making a automatically correct mix
ture of the water and oil and the diff
Gully of securing power enough to mix
the liquids and to throw the spray the
required distance.
ut Is scarcely to be expected that
the automatic kerosene and water mix
ing pump can ever throw a spray so
far as one which expends all its ener-
gies in throwing the spray. These au-
tomato pumps are not yet perfect, but
some Of them are perfect enough to be
useful and reliable, and they indicate
that we may expect better things.
do not say that the kerosene and soap
emulsion is already out of date. only
that the indications are that 1t will be-
come less and less important.
"Shall white arsenic be used as a
substitute for paris green? This is not
a new question. The arsenic is com
bined with lime to form arsenite Of
lime. There Is no question as to the
efficacy of the mixture or its safety on
foliage. Our tests show that 1t is less
caustjc than paris green to foliage,
says Professor Bailey and adds that
he does not recommend 1t publicly, be-
cause 1t Is a dangerous thing to have
white arsenic bought, mixed and boiled
In an ordinary, careless manner. To
careful farmers who have much spray
ing to do the white arsenic can be rec
commended confidently, but he believes
that most people should buy their poi
sons ready prepared, even If the cost
Is somewhat greater.
1.-The San Jose scale Is still with u.s.
1t will stay There is no hope OF Grad
icating it. Then every man should be
prepared to meet It, For three seasons
now we have experimental with the
kerosene and water emulsion, as others
have done, and have found that 1t Is q
specific for the scale. In the proper
ton of one part of oil to five of water
In summer and one to four in winter 1t
will kill the scale.
"Can man hope to annihilate the
scale. then. by spraying? No. On
plants which he can spray thoroughly
and frequently he can hope to Grad
icate 1t. but should not expect him to
eradicate 1t from a large and badly in
tested plantation any more than he can
eradicate the apple scab or the bark
louise. But should expect him to keep
1t in check. Spraying for San Jose
scale must come to be an accepted
practice, as spraying for potato blight
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