The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-05-12

gallons was used on 40 bushels of
seed potatoes. State Zoologist Sur
face says that he prefers formalin to
corrosive sublimate for potatoe scab
treatment. This is because the for
malin, or formaldehyde, dissolves i'm
mediately in water, it being liquid
itself when in the commercial form,
and 1t does not corrode any material
by coming in contact with and drying
upon it as the corrosive sublimate
might do. After having killed the
disease germs it evaporates and is
gone, so that no evil after-effects can
come from it. 1t is quickly and
easily prepared, and its action upon
ones hands will not beo anywhere
near as serious as the corrosive sub
Innate solution.
To prepare the mixture put 80 gal
Ions of water into a barrel, to which
add one pint of the formalin solution.
This about equals one-half ounce to
gallon. This may appear weak,
but it is strong enough to destroy the
scab germs. Put the potatoes in
bags and the bags into barrels, and
pour enough of the foregoing solu-
ton of formalin and water into the
barrel to cover the bags, and let
stand for an hour. After that take
the potatoes out of the bags and let
them drain. Other potatoes can be
put in the bags and immersed for the
treatment. The liquid can be used
again and again as long as any re-
mains. 1t should be kept covered
to prevent escape of the fumes or
evaporation, and it would be we'll to
strengthen it occasionally by adding
a little more of the solution. The
potatoes can be treated either before
or after cutting, but if they are not
to be planted soon, dipping before
cutting is best. They can be dried In
crates or in barrels, or spread on the
barn floor, after the same has been
swept completely and scrubbed with
a solution of the formalin or bichlo-
ride, whichever Is being used.
The owners of fruit trees who in
tend spraying their trees to prevent
diseases and kill the codling moth
larva are advised by Prof. Surface of
the Division of Economic Zoology of
the Pennsylvania Department of Ag-
riculture not to spray the blossoms,
but to wait until after the petals have
dropped, or more than three-fourths
are down. Injury will be caused to
the blossoms if they are sprayed
when open, but the spraying should
not be delayed after the blossoms
81
suits the spray must be applied with
in six days after the blossoms fall,
and a second spraying should be
done ten days or two weeks after the
. first application to prove effectual.
The following are the objections to
spraying trees when in bloom:
/. There is no definite pest for
j which the spray is applicable at that
time, and each spraying should be
for something definite.
, 2. The very young fruit is liable
j to be injured by the spray liquid
! falling upon it at this time.
Spraying when in bloom is very
: sure way of thinning the fruit crop,
, but it is very unscientific and un-
, satisfactory.
: 3. Spraying blossoms with poison
, results in the destruction of bees.
| Bees are necessary for fertilization
J and setting of the fruit.
4. The delay of only short
J time, or until just after the bios
: SONS fall, gives the proper time
! for spraying for the codling moth
and for plant diseases and does
2 not result in the destruction of
4 fruit or bees. The proper spraying
2 material is the Bordeaux mixture to
which an arsenical poison such as
: Paris green or arsenate of lead is
, added. There are two spraying
strengths for this liquid according
5 to the hardness of the tree or plant
= to be sprayed. Spray the apple
} pear, ounce and potato with the
5 strong formula which calls for
/ pounds bluestone and pounds OF
S quick lime in SO gallons of water
with one or two pounds of arsenate
e green is used, instead of the arsen.
D ate of lead, one third pound should
4 be used to each SO gallons.
e The weak formula calls for one
4 half of the above quantities ot
= bluestone, lime and arsenate of lead
a in SO gallons of water. This is
used on peach and plum trees or
q account of their tender bark, ant
S on similar delicate plants. Peacf
;, and plum trees do not need to bt
t sprayed Immediately after blossom
: ing, but these and the grapes shoulC
d be sprayed for wormy fruit, max
ing the application after the frui
-a..lIS. l...al-aL1,4