Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-07-27

Washington, July 26-As a result of
experiments, the specialists of the De-
partment of Agriculture have discov-
cred that a small amount of ordinary
borax sprinkled daily on manure, will
effectively prevent the breeding of the
typhoid or house fly. Similarly, the
same substance applied to garbage,
refuse, open toilets, damp floors and
crevices in stables, cellars or mar
kets, will prevent fly eggs from hatch
ing. Borax will not kill the adult fly
nor prevent it from laying eggs, but
its thorough use wifi prevent any
further breeding.
The investigation, which included
experiments with many substances.
was undertaken TO discover some
means of preventing the breeding of
flies in horse manure without lessen
ing the value of this manure as a
fertilizer for use by the farmer. 1t
was felt that if some means of pre-
venting the breeding of flies near a
human habitation could be devised,
the diseases spread by these filthy
germ carriers could be greatly reduc-
ed. While the swat and fly cam
paign," traps and other devices for
reducing the number of typhoid-carry-
ing flies are of value, they are of less
Importance than the prevention of the
breeding. 1t was realized, however,
that no measure for preventing the
hr>e1ing of flies would come into
co.arnon use unless it was such
that the farmer could use it on his
re
usefulness for growing plants, and
without introducing into the soil any
substance that would interfere with
his crops.
AS a result of experiments carried
on at the Arlington Farm, in Virgin
ia, and New Orleans, La. the investi-
gators found that 062 of pound of
borax, or 0.75 of pound Of calciped
colemanite (crude calcium borate)
would kill the maggots and prevent
practically all of the flies ordinarily
breeding in bushels Of horse manure
from developing. This was proved by
placing manure in cages and compar-
ing the results from piles treated with
borax and from untreated piles. The
borax, it was found, killed the fly eggs
and ma ggots in the manure and pre-
vented their growth into flies.
In the case of garbage cans OF
refuse piles. ounces of borax or cal
cined colemanite, costing from cents
a pound upward according to the
quantity which is purchased, will ef-
fectually prevent flies from breeding
While it can be safely stated that
no injurious action has followed the
application of manure treated with
borax at the rate of go pounds for
bushels or even larger amounts in the
case of some plants. nevertheless bor-
ax-treated manure has not been
studied in connection with the growth
of all crops, nor has it's cumulative eff
feet been determined. 1t Is therefore
recommended that not more than IL
tons of the borax- treated manure
should be applied per acre to the field.
AS truck growers use considerably
more than this amount, it is suggest
ed that all cars containing borax-
treated manure be so marked, and that
pueblo health officials stipulate In
their directions for this treatment that
not over so (62-100) of a pound for
bushels of manure be used, as it has
been shown that larger amounts OF
borax will injure most plants. It is
also recommended that all public
health officials and others in recon-
mending borax treatment for killing
fly eggs and maggots in manure warn
the public against the injurious effects
of large amounts of borax on the
growth OF plants. Purchasers of ma
nure produced in cities during the fly
breeding season should insist that the
dealers from whom they purchase give
them a certified statement as to
whether or not the manure in the par
ticular car or lot involved in the pur-
chase has been treated with borax.
In feeding to hogs garbage that con-
tains borax care is also recommended,
especially when the animals are be-
ing fattened for market. Borax is not
a very poisonous substance and the
feeding of garbage that contains 1t
to hogs. is not likely to be 4 serious
matter. On the other hand borax in