Evening star., 1942-05-10

flowers or the fruits, he can be
controlled, if at all. by one of the
stomach poisons What difference
does it make to the gardener
whether he is red, yellow or white
so long as he can be controlled by a
stomach poison.
Likewise every plant disease pro-
gram is predicated upon putting a
fungicide on the foliage before the
disease spores have a chance to
reach them. The efficiency and
effectiveness of the control OF
disease lies in keeping some kind
of fungicide all over the surfaces
of all of the leaves all of the time.
1t makes no difference to the home
gardener as to the basic materials
so long as it does the job. And,
since diseases are largely controlled
by either one or the other "copper"
or sulphur why add to the con-
fusion by listing so many controls.
Would 1t not make the gardening
literature more interesting il We
either confirmed or denied the
effectiveness Of a standard spraying
program?
The choice between spray or
dust should be, based more upon the
individual than upon the relative
efficiency. Here again the important
thing, 1t seems to me, Is to use
which ever fits the gardeners per-
vrich than tn indtrafA
that the regularity and thoroughneSs
with which it is used are all i'm
portant. Certainly we should not
stop to argue over technical points
or our gardener will be using TOO
little too late"
Dusts do have their drawbacks
they cannot be used when the wind
is blowing, but neither can a spray,
and they do not stick as we'll But
on the other hand they are easy to
operate and inexpensive. Many will
use a duSter when the time available
for spraying is limited.
Spray materials vary widely both
in kind and method of handling,
and spraying practices have
changed, but for the most part they
are technical points and do not be-
long to this discussion. However,
there are some points worthy Of
mention.
Bordeaux need not be applied in
the strengths formerly used. This is
important since we know that leaf
plastered with the usual heavy ap-
plicatlon of Bordeaux cannot func-
tion normally. 1t would seem rea-
sonable then for us. as gardeners, to
use lighter applications and make
sure that our plants can still grow.
On the other hand, because of the
need for copper in the war effort we
will change over to sulphur dt is
also an important war chemical, but
there are huge supplies in this coun-
try. enough for alb. The finely
divided sulphurs, commonly spoken
of as "micro-sulphurs" are most
efficient in disease control and where
used with a "sticker" are highly
effective. 1t should be pointed out,
however, that sulphurs applied dur
ing hot weather will burn the foliage
when applied too heavily.
Lead arsenate, the most commonly
used of the arSenical stomach
poisons is another important war
chemical (the Lead and we should
try to use substitutes. However, the
rotenone, which is the best substi-
tute, is largely important and the
maio source has been Malay and
Java. Since it is no longer available
in the quantities needed we can only
use such stomach poisons as may be
available-calcium arsenate, pyreth-
rum. etc. Perhaps calcium arsenate
will be produced in larger quantities
TO conserve the lead. So far as in
sect-killing power is concerned it is
fully as effective as the lead arsen-
ate. Do not use on squash, cucum-
bers or melons.
Nicotine sulphate and pyrethrum
are available in needed quantities
and there is no need for seeking
substitutes for use in controlling
the sucking insects. However, in
passing it may be pointed out that
good soapy water is an excellent
control for the aphids.
In closing let me once again en-
phasize that whether or not you use
an "all-purpose' spray or dust, or
whether you use SPECIFIC for each
| and every plant trouble, the effec-
| tiveness depends 80 per cent upon
the thoroughness and regularity OF
application and 10 per cent upon the
material used. No matter how good
the material may be if it isn't on
the plant when the bug bites or the
disease spore comes to rest it won t
do bit OF good. My suggestion is
this: On every Saturday afternoon
between and pm. dust every
thing. top and bottom, using q sui
| phur -pyrsthrum mixture.