San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-13
SUGGESTIONS
FOR KILLING
I. INSECT PESTS
Timely Hints Given Gard
eners and Farmers on
Combating Disease. /
MUCH DAMAGE DONE
Reports Show Roses, Vege-
tables and Shrubs Are
Suffering Here.

Insect pests have recently SO Sc
riously damaged roses, vegetables and
shrubs, in San Antonio and the imme-
date neighhOrhood, that Charles H.
Alvord, agricultural secretary of the
San. Antonio Chamber of Commerce,
investigated thoroughly the causes OF
this pestilence, and has worked out
several methods Of determination that
will rid gardens and yards Of insects
without harm to plants.
AT this time of the year, all kinds
Of insect life comes into activity, and
certain plant diseases that injure
foliage also become noticeable" Mr..
Alvord stated. Scientific investiga-
tion has worked out control measures
for nearly all infestations, and the
means of control is within reach of
any grower, but satisfactory results
can only be obtained when he has a
knowledge of the nature of the insects
and diseases they are trying to fight"
Insects may roughly be divided into
two classes, according to Mr.. Alvord.
This classification places the dividing
line between insects that suck and
insects that eat or consume the leaves.
Worms and other eating insects can
be destroyed by applying poison to the
plant in the form of Paris Green, Ar
senate of Lead, or Calcium Arsenate
mixtures. The only danger to be en-.
countered in using poisonous solutions
is the fact that some poisons injure
the foliage by burning it. Damage
may be done unless this danger is
watched, Mr.. Alvord stated.
What Poison tn Use.
Paris Green must not be used on
plums or peaches, Mr.. Alvord said, as
it will hurt the trees more than it will
help them by relieving the pests or
diseases. The solution may safely be
having considerable resistance, such as
having considerable resistance, such as
Irish potatoes, and tomatoes. Cotton
may not be injured by Paris Green
when the poison is mixed with lime,
Mr.. Alvord said, the proper recipe
for this combination being six or eight
ounces of Paris Green, two pounds Of
slaked lime, and 80 gallons of water.
The lime will counteract the injurious
effects of the Paris Green.
Arsenate of lead has a wider range
of usefulness in insect prevention than
any other poison, MIR. Alvord said, as
it is preparation that may be safe
ly used on majority of plants. 1t
will stick TO the foliage, and remains
in suspension well when mixed with
water. The powdered form is about
twice as strong as the paste, Mr.. AL
word said. Proper preparation for
this ihsecticide would be two pounds
of Arsenate of Lead paste, so gallons
of water, or one pound Of Arsenate of
Lead in powdered form. to 80 gallons
of water.
Some Other Remedies.
Calcium Arsenate or Arsenate of
Lime is extensively used for controll-
ing boil weevil, and has about the
same poisoning effects that Arsenate
of Lead has. This may also be used
in either powdered or liquid form.
No poison may be applied, however,
except for eating insects.
Insects that suck the juice of plants
require the use of contact insecticides,
Mr.. Alvord said, and Fish Oil Soap,
Kerosene Emulsion or solution of
Nicotine Sulphate are the best prep
arations for this type.
Fish Oil Soap is sold commercially,
in proportions of about one pound to
three or four gallons of water. On very
tender foliage, the amount of water
should be increased to five or six gal
Ions. When using Kerosene Emul-
sion, all the oil must be broken into
an emulsified condition in order to in
sure safe using. Half pound of laun-
dry soap dissolved in boiling water
and poured into the kerosene will
make what is known as q stock"
solution, which should be mixed with
about six gallons of water. If distilled
water or rain water is not available
for use in the solution, small amount
of I've added to the water will make
the solution better.
tact spray is Nicotine Sulphate or
BLACK Leaf 49," which is made by
mixing the poison with water. in pro-
portions of about three-fourths of
teaspoonful to n gallon of water.
Use Of Bordeaux Spray.
When fungus diseases cause trouble
in the spring. Mr.. Alvord advises con-
troll by means of spray known as
Bordeaux Mixture. This solution is
made from the following ingredients
One-half pound of Copper Sulphate,
one-half pound of fresh lime stone,
five gallons of water. The dry ingre-
dents should be mixed first with
water before combining them. This
spray can safely be used on roses.
grapes, beans and Irish potatoes. This
spray should be used as a preventa
tive, for Mr.. Alvord claims that when
a disease has become 30 firmly rooted
that it can be recognized on the plants
it is difficult for the plant to re-
cover. Mr.. Alvord advises that all
growers of potatoes, beans and toma-
tees use Bordeaux spray at intervals
of about two weeks all through the
growing period. This spray will also
control and prevent anthrocinise in