The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1914-08-25
CHEMICAL IS
DEADLY TO
PESTS
New Insecticide for Eradication
of cutworms and Other Plant
Destroyers Is Used with Salts
factory Results.

A new insectieide for the destrue.
tion Of cut worms, slugs and other in
sect pests in the soil has lately come
into prominence abroad. 1t is in
reality an old remedy, in that its use
was discovered as long ago as 1874
when the French vineyardists were
hunting for a remedy Cor phylloxera.
Phylloxera is a root parasite of the
grape, which, when first introduced
into European vineyards, became cpl
demic and threatened to wipe out the
wine industry. Enormous sums were
spent by all the European governments
to combat phylloxera and many rem
edies were suggested and given trial,
Manner Of Preparation.
One of these remedies was chem
zeal substance known as sulpho-carbo.
nate Of potassium. This substance,
which is a compound Of carbon bi-sul-
phide and sulphiae Of potassium, has
the property Of slowly emitting sui
.phuretted hydrogen and carbon bisul-
phide for long periods Of time when
acted on by carbonic acid gas. Tho
residunm when this chemical reaction
is complete is carbonate of potassium.
Both sulphuretted hydrogen and car
bon bisulphide are powerful insecti
cides. Carbonate of potassium is an
extremely valuable fertilizer. The
carbonic acid which is necessary to
complete the reaction is gas nor.
mally present in all soiis.
The method of application is to dis:
solve one pound of sulpho-carboHate Of
potassium in twelve and half gallons
OF water, making a one per cent solu-
ton. @fr
Tested by Experiments.
Prof. Molinas who has recently con
Quoted series of experiments at the
Antilles School Of Agriculture, in the
French Riviera, using sulpho-earbonate
of potassium to killer worms and
f, slugs in the earnation and tulip fields,
tiower-growing for perfumery manu-.
faetnre being tho principle industry of
the Riviera. Describing his expert.
ments Prof Molinas stated in 0 recent
publications: .1. =" =. II
f'My trials of sulpbo-earbonate of
potassium were conclusive. ! found
that with dose Of one per cent by
Volume, sugs and cut worms were
quickly killed. The solution was APP
piled by means of watering-ean, with
out rose, in the case Of carnations, the
roots of which were the objective; with
rose in the case of tulips, since the
whole surface of the bed required treat
ment. When the tulips were hoed, a.
fortnight later, very numerous dead
Sings were found, conclusive proof of
the efficacy of the treatment. The
slightly viseous liquid seems TO act, in
some cases, as much by contact as by
liberation Of asphyxiating gases. Thus
earth worms, surprised whilst creeping
on the surface, wriggle as soon as wet.
ted with the solution, and soon die.
SulphO-e carbonate presents the advalt-
age over carbon bi-sulphide of acting
more slowly and for a longer time; of
Thoroughly wetting the mass of the soil
to which it is applied; of persisting dur
ing several days; and of sparing no
parasite. The most active insects fail
TO escape if sufficiently deep in the soil.
All soils lend themselves to the treat.
ment, whether clay, gravelly or sand;
the quantity of liquid to be applied
alone varies. r.
." Effect on Carnations. -.
"Tulips and carnations do not suffer
from dose of one per cent, or even
two per cent. II is only when FIVE per
cent is reached that carnations show
signs of suffering. But there is no need
to exceed two pnr cent Sulpho-ear-
Donate, by-product of carbon bi-sul-
phide manufacture, costs four dollars
per 100 pounds at the factory in
= France. The cost does not thus seem
high, and it would be logical to deduct
the manure value of the potassium ear,
bonate.' II is further pointed out that
this substance is of no use for appli,
cation above ground" only under
ground parasites should be aimed at. -
Serious Island Pest. D.
Cut worms are about as serious a
garden pest as there is in Hawaii. Any
remedy that will kill the worms in the
ground Is worth trying. Snlphorearbon,
ate of potassium, according to recent
French and Australian farm journals,
IL IL can be obtained at reasonable cost,
will prove of great value to small farm.
ers in Hawaii. y.t.. ~ ~.
That sulpho-earbonate is very deadly
h the lower forms of animal life is
further evidence by the fact that in
Switzerland il Is the standard phyl.
loxera disinfeetant, planters of new
vineyards being compelled to dip their
young vines, before planting them, in
solution containing three per cent
n