The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-10-07
TslnnlTnIEnlIIlulTI rIIalEnIIlDHIINHEnTInlNI
: The Citrus Whitefly in
. the Fall.


While the best time for introducing
the fungus parasites of the whitefly is
during the period of summer rains, one
of the best times to spray with contact
insecticides is during the fall. Spraying
with contact insecticides can be employ
ed with advantage during October or
November. Do not begin TO spray I'M
til ten days or two weeks after the white
flv has quit, or nearly quit flying. By
that time the eggs deposited by that
brood will have Matched. Ii is the young
larvae that are most easily killed. By
mid-wintcr these Larvae will have de-
yelopcd TO the fourth or older stages,
and are not then so easily destroyed.
In addition to the larvae being larger and
stronger in winter, the spray employed
NAV be less effective, because of the
cooler weather. The advantages OF
spraying for the whitefly early in the
fall are:
1. The Larvae are young and easily
killed. .t
,, There arc few rains to interfere
with spraying. A.,
g. The Larvae are killed before they
wax fat on the trees, and so do not drain
the trees so long as when they are not
sprayed until winter.
If there is not sufficient whitefly pres
emf in the fall TO produce visible Sootlng
of the trees, spraying may be postponed
until winter, when, OF course, stronger
insectiCde must be used.
Having sprayed thoroughly at the time
above noted, it will not be necessary TO
spray again before spring. Ten days or
Two weeks after the spring brood OF
whitcflieS have quit Swarming. dhat is,
by the time the eggs have hatched) the
spray may be applied effectively
Spraying Solutions.
Orr experiments show that 30 per cent
Of the Young larvae (up to the thickened
condition of the fourth Stage) have been
readily killed by one pound OF whale Oil
soap to six gallons of water. Solutions
as dilute as pound to 9 gallons OF water
have given good results. Failures to get
GOOD results in the fall may have been
due TO cooler weather at the time OF ap-
nlicotion, since most liquids are less pen
Grating and less active chemically al
lower temperatures. 1t therefore, ap-
ncorS desirable to use whale-oil soap
stronger in fall than TO 6-Say pound
IN / Gallons OF water-eXCept when the
tcmncrature approximateS that OF sum
mcr, Other spraying solutions, such as
misciblc oils and proprietary brands, may
he EMPLOYED at the strengths recon-
mcnded by the manufacturers.
Fungi.
As A general rule, it is not best TO at
tcmnt 10 introduce and spread fungus
oitcr tbc summer rains have ceased
flor This time the fungi spread but little
and are of but little value in checking
the brood of Larvae then on the leaves
Sometimes, however, fungus may be In
trnduccd in the fall in order TO give L
IN carly start next spring, should favor
ohla conditions arise at that time. Inc
ritter has. as late as October, success
fully introduced fungus which resulted
in an effective growth by the middle o
the next summer.
Groves Treated With Fungus.
Those who have been depending up
an fungus TO check the whitefly, anC
have allowed a covcr-Crop OF some kline
to GROW fall and rank in order TO hell
fUnous growth during the periods o
rain should cut this down and use 1t a
mulch, or pillow thunder as soon asst is ey
dent that the summer rains have ceased
Otherwise this covcr-crop may eXtrac
sufficient moisture from the soil to Prov
disastrous TO the trees and fruit. Grow
mo Vegetation of all kinds gives oil larg'
nmontities of water through its leaves
His water is absorbed from the soil b,
the roots of the covcr-crop. In this wa
The moisture in the soil is depleted
During the periods OF rain, when Their
is superiluous soil moisture, the cover
cron can do no harm, and by bringini
Un M moisture from the soil ii adds TO III
moisture of the atmosphere in the grow
which is an advantage 10 the triendl
fungi. L..o ,bo.l,o
: the whitefly sufficiently by October o
Wovember, the grower should not he's
tate TO spray with whalc-oh soap or othe
contact insccticide as previously direcl
cd Spraying solutions recommends
for controlling citrus diseases should nc
bc used in whitcfly-infested groves
, Press Bulletin No. $50, Fla, Agrlcul'ur'
Experiment Station.