The age-herald., 1902-05-11

ter, when and how they make their first appearance in the fields, and when we fully understand these matters then we may the more intelligently fight them ana destroy them before they destroy our crops In treating the different classes or species, shall try and give something of the habits of each class.
 Insecticides.
 Before taking up in detail the different species of destri tive insects l wish to say a few words about insecticides or remedies offered for the destruction Of all insects Patent insecticides, like patent medicines may be good for some things but not for all cases. So when remedy is offered with high-sounding praises, claiming that 1t will kill or drive every species of insects from the farm, 1t will be well for the farmer to investigate be- fore investing. The question is, why use the remedy?" or flor what purpose shall I use 1t? Shall 1t be to kill outright the insects or simply to drive them away?" There are many preparations that will drive insects away form the plants but will not kill them, so that where the object is to kill them outright one must know the composition of the material used as well as it's effects on both the insects and the plants. So far, as the killing effect is concerned, It is largely the arsenic that the preparation vcontains that is at all effectual. De- priye most of our insecticides of the ar senic they contain and they become at once ineffective and worthless so Tar as killing the insects Is concerned. The ar senic Is used in various forms, such as the powders of Paris-green, London-pur- ple etc., which are effective according to the quantity of arsenic they contain. It In the hQn6a Of new or inexperienced hands, that the ar senic is more fatal than the insects, for arsenic no matter in what form, appli- ed must be u5od very sparingly on plants and there are many plants on wh1ch IL should never be used at all; such plants as most Of our vines, including all beans, peas ton.atoesI cucumber and melons of all kinds should never be treated with any preparation containing arsenic. On this class of crops it will be best to use some finely prepared powders which l shall mention later on. So the matter of selection and compromising insecticides Is a nice matter and should be made " great care or else the remedy as stated will prove more fatal than the insects themselves. Of course. unscrup- ulous vendors of worthless powders are always ready to take advantage of the situation and come out with a kill and cure all for every condition. The farmer has had but little time to think up or read up on the subject and so waits un- til the insects are devouring his crops. Then, in his great anxiety to save his crops, will often jump at any relief that may be offered and the result is often att tended with disaster and failure. Effec- tive preparations, such as I shall mem tion later on, should be kept ready to hand on every farm. I am not opposed to the use of many of our insecticides; the opposing of them is not my object at all, for --ey have their uses. and 1t is to enable the reader in making his selec- tons and in using the proper remedy for the cause. is the object. Yet, it will be far cheaper for the fsfNer to buy the