Evening star., 1914-07-26
Department of Agriculture
Discovers New Use for
Ordinary Borax.
PREVENTS PROPAGATION
OF DANGEROUS INSECT
Washington May Be Rid of Germ
Spreaders in Another
Season.

Department of Agriculture experts for
carrying on the war against the ty-
phoid fly. 1t consists in the discovery
that ordinary boraX, sprinkled IN
stables and garbage cans, will prevent
breeding of the insects in these places
without destroying the fertilizing value
of the refuse.
The Information is considered the
most important that has been given out
since the beginning of attempts to ex-
terminate the fly. Application of it on
a wide scale may practically rid Wash
ington of the pests by another season.
it is believed.
| DR.. Arthur L. Murray. director of the
Health and Happiness League. who viii
inaugurate this week a swat the fly
crusade among the children of the
Fairgrounds, stated last night that he
would call attention to the discovery in
lectures which he expects to deliver
| at the various recreation centers. He
by The Star, under whose auspices the
first anti-ly campaign was weSed
three summers ago.
Both Breeding Centers.
Stables and garbage cans have long
been recognized as the principal fly
breeding centers. 1t has been a big
problem, however. to determine how to
kill fly larvae in stable refuse without
destroying the fertiliZing value of the
material.
AS result of experiments carried on
at the Arlington farm. in Virginia, and
at New Orleans, La, Department cf
Agriculture investigators. 1t is stated,
found that 062 of pound OF boraN or
0.75 of a pound Of calcined colemanite
(crude calcium borate) would kill the
q Sylf M apf fca1 al1 nf
the flies ordinarily breeding in eight
bushels of stable refuse from develop
ing In the case of garbage cans, two
ounces of boraX or calcined colemanite,
costing about 5 cents pound, Will eff
fectually prevent flies from breeding.
Caution Should Be Used.
While it is stated that no injurious
action has followed the application of
manure treated with bo-ax at the rate
of 90 pounds for eight bushels even
larger amounts in the case of some
plants. nevertheless boraX-treated
manure has not been studied in connec-
tion with the growth of all crops. nor
has its cumulative effect been deter
mined. 1t is therefore recommended
that not more than fifteen tons Of
boraX-treated manure should be ap-
Piled per acre to the field.
In feeding to hogs garbage that con-
tains borax care should be taken. es-
pecially when the animals are being
fattened for market, 1t is stated. BoraX
in large quantities, it is pointed out,
will produce gastric disturbances.
Proper Use in Stables.
The method of using this sub
stance in the case of stables" states a
report issued by the department lis to
isprinkle the borax or co1emanite In the
quantities given above. by means of a
-four sitter or other fine sieve, around
the outer edges OF the pile of horse
manure. The manure should then be
| sprinkled Immediately with two or
three gallons of water to eight bushels
of manure. 1t is essential, however, to
sprinkle a little of the borax on the
manure as it is added daily to the pile
| instead of waiting until full pile is
obtained. because this will prevent the
eggs which the flies lay on fresh
manure from Matching. AS the fly mag
gots congregate at the outer edge of
| the manure pile most of the boraX
| should be sprinkled there.
| "Borax costs ) to cents per pound in
o0-pound lots in Washington and it is
| estimated that at this rate it would
cost only one cent per horse per day
to prevent all breeding of flies in city
| stables. If calcined colemanite is pur-
chased in large shipments this cost
should be considera bly, less