The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-06-10
SPRAYING FOR
WHITE FLY.
Interesting Government Expe-
riments Carried on at
Orlando.
From Fla. Fruit and Produce News)

While there is now in press circula
written by DR.. A. w. Morrill, and my
self forming preliminary report o
sprays used in Florida against whit
lilies, 1t seems best at this time, in vie'
OF the frequent requests for informatio
received at this office and the approac
OF the season when spraying can agai
be done to advantage, that the results @
these preliminary insecticide tests b.
stated briefly in your paper
The general problem of the contro
by spray mixtures of the citrus an,
spotted-wing flies is now being mad
the subject of special experimental in
vestigation by the agents at Orlando ant
a full report on spraying will be iSsuet
later, During the past winter severa
groves, including over 2, 800 trees of al
sizes, have been sprayed with good re
suits with both power and hand sprayers
AS this work is to be continued on al
even larger scale during the coming sea
son, and as it is desirable to settle once
for all just what can be accomplished
under varying conditions by spraying
when careful attention is given to de-
tails, | shall be pleased to get in touch
with citrus growers who expect to spray.
Enough work has already been done
to emphasize the fact that the poor re-
suits many obtain from spraying are not
due so much TO inferior insecticides as TO
careless application. To entirely re-
move this last factor, the relative value
OF the sprays mentioned below were de-
Iermined by actual dipping the infested
branches into the insecticide, thus
thoroughly drenching the entire leaf
surface. In this way it was found that
Carbolineum, Crocodile, Laundry Soap,
Derror's Tree Fluid, Lime Sulphur
Wash, Scalecide and Thrip Juice are
practically worthless as white fly de-
Stroyers. 1t was further found that the
addition of Carbolineum and Crocodile
TO sprays does not appear TO enhance
their value. 1t is doubtful if Derror's
Tree Fluid killed single insect, al
though ii was used at various strengths.
Hicks Death Dope was found to be
Schnarr's, and of no practical value as
winter spray, although when used 25
per cent stronger than recommended it
killed nearly all the young larvae in sum-
mer II frequently burns the skin of the
operator and does not kill the insects
through the leaf, as has been claimed.
Gold Dust and Kerosene Emulsion
were found TO have some value, but I'M
til further experiments are concluded
they are not recommended for general
use. Montgomerys' InSecticide was not
used experimentally at Orlando. But,
even when used at the weakest strength
accommodated, is not cheaper than
Schnarr'S, and is no more effective. As
much damage is apt to follow the use of
the resin washes and compounds, and as
these solutions did not give the best re-
suits, they are not recommended until
further experiments are made.
All things considered, whale-oil soap,
Schnarr'S and Target Brand have been
found the most satisfactory. Whale oil
soap is doubtless the least injurious to
the tree OF all sprays, but does not appear
to be more effective in killing the fly
than Schnarr's or Target Brand Used
at II lbs TO so gallons it is a trifle more
and less efficient than
Schnarr's in killing power during win
ter months. 1t has the disadvantage,
requiring heating TO best mix with water
While it does not remove the Sooty
mold as quickly as the miscible oil
sprays, this is not drawback, unless il |
IS especially desired to clean up the fruit
before picking.
Schnarr's lnSecticice has given excel |
lent results with the agents at Orlando,
both in limited tests and in field opera |
lions on large scale. 1t is the cheapest |
per gallon of final spray of any insecti- |
eide now in general use. 1t looSens the |
Sooty mold quickly, has not caused ex-
cessive shedding with us, even when |
overlapping has occurred, and is ready
for immediate use 1t has the diSadvant-
ige of not mixing we'll with hard water
although this feature is said to be now
overcome. 1t should not be used
stronger than recommended.
Target Brand as at present manufac-
ured has not been as extensively tested
IS either whale-oil soap or Schnarr's,
)ut limited experiments have shown il
o be thoroughly effective at 1 to As in
Killing all pupae mo weaker strength
vas uSed) 1t mixes very readily with
oft water and is claimed to mix as well
with hard. 1t also removes the Sooty
mold well, and at Winter Park, where
IN equal number OF trees were sprayed
With Schnarr's, 1 TO 80, and Target
Brand, to 81, no difference could be de-
ected in the effectiveness of the two
prays, except the price. Target Brand
;oStS more than Schnarr'S and is appar-
.ntly no better.
wish TO strongly emphasize the fact
hat the above statements regarding
insecticides refer to them
,nly as they are at present offered for
ale Any change in their formula
night render them worthless. 1t should
lSo be remembered that, unless other
wise stated, the remarks refer to the &C.
ion of these insecticides on winterin-
'ver flies. E. A. BACK,
Agent and Expert, White Fly Investiga-
lions, Orlando, Fla.