The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-06-10


to understand how to separate the in
secticldcs from the fungicides, and they
apply the wrong remedy frequently be-
cause of lack of knowledge OF how tc
proceed. According to the results OBJ
tained at the Rhode Island station the
greatest loss, however, occurs from
negligence, or from net spraying as
frequently as necessity demands. The
formulas have been given frequently
and are well known, but their appli-
cation at ,he proper period is the most
important 1t is now admitted by ali
experienced fruit growers that tho
sprayer Is n necessary adjunct to the
production of fruit, and that where II
is not used there will not only be no
crops, but the neighboring orchards
will also be endangered. The best re-
suits ara obtained when the growers
In nelghborhood are organized and
work in harmony, for then they not
only protect one another, but the ex-
perienced can advise those who may
not fully understand the proper meth
DDS to pursue.
A fungus is plant that is destitute
of the green coloring matter of the
higher plants, and as this green color
Ing matter, or chlorophyll, is the only
substance known through which the
plant changes its crude food material
to nutritive food material, 1t is evident
that fungi must feed upon organized
material which has been previously
elaborated by the host plant and which
is adapted to their wants. That por-
ton of a fungus which causes the
damage to the host plant is composed
of long, fine threads. known as
"hyphae." which occur either separate
ly or in bundles. Taken together they
form the vegetated portion or my
corresponds to the roots and stems OF
the Towering plants. Spores are
organs which are produced upon the
mycelium. either upon the main body
or upon branches thrown out for the
purpose. Spores take the place of
seeds in the higher plants, though
really they are not seeds, as a seed
contains young plant. while a spore.
being composed of one CELL does not.
Given proper conditions, however. the
spore will send out fine filament,
which develops plant similar to the
original from which II came. There
are two kinds Of spores-summer and
winter. The summer spores are borne
upon the surface of the host plant.
They ripen quickly and reproduce the
fungus rapidly. but soon lose their
vitality If proper conditions for ger
miDation are not given in a short
time after maturity. The winter spores
are usually produced within the tissues
of the host plant-commonly in the
fruit and leaves. They live through
the winter, and in the spring. with
favorable conditions. germinate, and
+ more fungus is again developed. AS
the fungus Is developed within the host
plant all remedies are useless. as II is
impossible to reach the interior of
the plant, but the spores should be
destroyed before or at the time of ger
mination, all treatment being largely
preventive rather than curative.
In the destruction Of insect pests the
remedies are designed to act in one or
two ways In one way the poison is
taken into the digestive tract of the
insect, and causes death. This is done
by simply coating the plant with some
poisonous substance (such as paris
grecn), which is taken by the insect
with the food. BY the other method
the food Is not poisoned, as
the material (such as kerosene emul-
sion) Is applied directly to the insect,
and causes death either by PEN
etrating the body directly or by closing
the breathing pores. Many insects
cannot be poisoned. as they feed upon
the juices of plants (by sucking), and
do not eat the external covering, but
many Of them have soft bodies, so
that they succumb to treatment If the
poison comes in contact with their
bodies-kerosene emulsion usually
proving fatal to them. All of the
aphides, nr lice, feed by sucking, as
do also the true bugs, of which the
squash bug is an example. For the
chewing insects, such as canker worms,
the poison should be evenly distribut-
ed over their feeding places, and may
be applied before they are present, as
in spraying for the codling moth before
the insect is hatched. For sucking
insects it 10 useless to spray the plant
before the insect appears. The chief
remedy as a fungicide is the "Bor-
deauX mixture" made by dissolving
six pounds of copper sulphate in 16
gallons of hot water. In another ves-
sci dissolve four pounds of lime in
six gallons of water. Pour the lime
water into the copper solution slowly,
stirring well, and then add 90 gallons
of cold water, and spray. For biting
insects use paris green, in the usual
manner. For sucking insects use the
kerosene emulsion, made by shaving
pound of hard soap and dissolving
in gallon of boiling water. Remove
from the fire, and add gallon of
kerosene, agitating or churning for 10
minutes with the sprayer until a
creamy substance is formed. Then add
10 or 90 gallons of cold water. Kero-