The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-06-30

Perhaps there is no class of gar
den insects the methods of attack OF
which is so insidious as that of The
plant lice or aphids. Last fall, wher
there were literally thousands OF
these plant lice on late crops, the
ants, in looking about for something
choice for their winter larder, carried
a number of these little aphids into
their homes and kept them there for
the saccharine excretion from their
bodies. For this reason the plant
lice have been called the ants cows.
Evidently the milk flow becomes
pretty low toward early summer, for
the ants, in doing their regular spring
house-cleaning carry out the remain
ing plant lice and so start a new
brood to prey upon plants during the
summer.
At first a very few plant lice may
be found hidden on the underside of
the leaves of melons, peas, cabbage,
and other vegetables. A little later
the leaves begin to curl up and to
lose their color and an examination
will show that the 'lice" which the
ants carried out have become grand
mothers, and the underside of the
leaves will be literally alive with
them, feasting on the juices of the
plants. At this stage something must
be done quickly, for within a few
days there will be another genera
ton or brood at work.
Arsenate of lead and Paris green
have no effect upon this army of
plant blood suckers, and it is neces-
sary to use contact poisons. A prepa-
must be used that will not in
jure the plants but which will kill
the '%'lice." The most common of
these contact poisons is nicotine sui
phate-a tobacco extract-made of
tobacco refuse from factories. This
IS a poison and, to be effective in
the slice" without injuring the
must be used exactly accord
ing to the directions given on the
container. United States Department
Of Agriculture Farmers Bulletin $50,
on the control of garden diseases and
Insects, has the following to say re-
the use of nicotine sulphate:
"For small garden plats l tea
spoonful of nicotine sulnhate should
De used to l gallon of water, to which
Inch cube of hard soap should be
added and thoroughly mixed. If a
quantity is desired, use l fluid
ounce to 8 gallons of water, with the
of one-half pound of soap.
Full directions are given on the COW
RS of packages, and instructions ac-
company them.
Effective Application of Spray Inn
portant
"In the use of nicotine sulphate
he effective application of the spray
S of the utmost Importance since it
5 primarily unon this that the sue
.ess or failure of the treatment de-
,ends. If the liquid has stood for
my length of time it should be agi-
ated thoroughly before use. The in
ects themselves must receive a
borough coat of the spray or they
viii not be killed, and immediate in ]
p%ection after spraying should show
he foliage occupied by the insects
o be completely wet.
Spraying should be done as early :
S possible, always on the first ap- F:
of the insect, not only be- :
it is good practice to keep the :
lants free from pests but because :
thorough work can be done on :
mall plants" :
Hordes of other insects will be on :
and to take the pleasure and profit :
ut of the work of the home gardener :
Mess a never-ending fight is wag- :
d to check their progress. The main :
ONT is to start the fight in time and :
i'll the advance scouts and head off :
main army of insect pests. :