The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-29

advanfage iB that the 1fult trees I large forest trees, grow much fsste One objects that fruits need to be sprayed to keep off disease and in sects. This Is true but the crop is cer, tainly worth 1t. Common forest trees need attention also, when set oui around any premises, as they are by no means immune from the attack of both disease and insects. More people are beginning to use food producing trees for ornament shade, a good sign of recognized valus.
 What Spraying Means
 Unfortunately, the term spraying has come to have general meaning, and but few understand that the kind of spray and the manner of application depend upon the character of insects or diease to be controlled. Should Q doctor tell you to spray your nose or throat, you would certainly want to know what to use, method of appliea- tion, when and how often to use and etc, yet there are people who, when it comes to plants, seem tol have little conception that the same principles are involved. A more strict and specific meaning should be associated with the SpHHysu& VA pANANNs Ab uONboKkHk &Hy trouble, it is necessary that one knows what he is about. Just because paris green and arseDate of lead or their compound will kill the potato bugs does not mean that thes poisons may be used indiscriminately for the con trol or cure of all insect pests and deases. The term spraying either in liquid or dust form is simply a means nf Snninsnn Aw.,sx .taka Aln sary remedy to control the pest that is doing the damage. The big factor in disease and insect control is the remedy itself. When this is definitely known. the application through the dust or liquid spray is responsible for the general term, commonly called spray ing.
 The Price Of Vegetablcs
 In cities, when one goes to the mar ket or the fruit and vegetable stands to purchase mess of any desired yege- table he is often astonished at the high price demanded, thinks the producer a heaftlesS shark and frequently remarks that he will go into the truck grow ing business himself. The writer has had such thoughts in the past, the dim past though, as he has learned much about what the netual grower gets and what the consumer pays The difference is so great as to seem ab- suEd or ridiculous; even to a hard boiled business man who is supposed to know much about the wide gan between what the producer gets and the consumer pays. Very recently I have seen the producer within two hundred miles of Birmingham receive only 60 cents net for produce that retailed in Birmingham for $4.OO. I know of eueumbers selling in New York city for 10 or 12 cents each when the southern producers were not even realizing penny but were being called upon for freight charges. The same thing has been going on for years and will continue because when one sucker dies or quits there are two or more on the waiting list to take his place. The problem won't be solved because the distributors in control won't have it so.
 Questions And Answers
 Q. In spraying shade and nut trees to destroy caterpillars, how much arse nate of lead is it safe to use to make 2 sure job and not injure the trees R, N,, Sheffield, Ala.
 A. As small quantity as one pound to 30 gallons of water is gen erally effective, provided one has the equipment to properly and evenly apply but there is little danger in using as much as three or four pounds to 90 gallons of water providing 1t is used in mixture containing lime sulphur, Bordeaux or where four to SIX times the quantity of lime is used in the mixture to neutralize the burn ing effect of the arsenic. Small excesses Of arsenic is only dangerous to trees with very tender foliage, such as peaches, plums, cherries and some other stone fruits.
 Q. planted seybeans this year for the first time, secured a good stand but some insect is attacking the leaves. giving the plant a rusty aspect and causing some shedding. What is the trouble and remedy? G. A., Guin, Ala.
 A, The trouble is most likely due to lice or some sucking insects that are often bad in hot dry weather, I believe the plants will overcome this with rain and more rapid growth. There are remedies that would help but. 1t is hardly practical to spray such 6 crop,
 Q. want to try the Spanish pea nut again but last year the nuts did not form well OF fill out. What do they need to perfect the maximum growth and how applied? F. F., Mon teValle, Ala.
 A. This trouble is frequently due to the lack of lime in the soil or fertilizers may be indicated. The same complete fertilizer used for corn and cotton if used directly in the drill at the rate of 800 to 800 pounds to the acre will prove very profitable.
 e. I have two crepe myrtle that have some dead branches caused by fire. Would it damage the plants to cut this out while they are in bloom? Mrs. B., Greenyille, Ala.
 A. I think not. The sooner they are cut out the better.
 Q, Do the common June bugs hurt