The sub., 1945-08-02
Garden Hints

New Haven, Conn, - By this time that familiar. although un- welcome visitor, the Japanese beetle, is probably present in your garden. He may have been a little late this year, according to J. Peter Johnson, entomologist at the Con- necticut Agricultural Experiment Station, for the cold spring slowed down the feeding and development of grubs and brought about pro- longed period of emergence.
 As to abundance, MT. Johnson says this varies according to the section of the State. In southern Connecticut, particularly along the shore, where the drought was extreme last summer, the infesta- ton may not be heavy. In local ized areas throughout the remaind- CT the state, however, the beetles will be plentiful.
 The pest may show up in the flower or vegetable garden or may attack ornamental trees and shrubs. Some of its favorite host plants are: grapevineS, roses, lindens, Nor way naples, snap beans, corn, and bush berries of various kinds.
 For flowers and shrubs, lead ar- senate is the best available spray material for control. Rotenone, the preferred material, is still scarce on account of military de- mands. A disadvantage of lead arr senate is that it leaves a residue, marring the appearance Of orna- mentals, but it will give adequate protection.
 Correct proportions for this mix ture are 11z to 2 rounded table Spoonfuls of lead arSenate for each gallon of water. To this l 4z table spoonfuls of flour should be added as sticker.
 On vegetables, a spray of lime aluminium Sulphate should be ap- piled. This consists of 1 pound of hydrated spray lime and ounces of aluminium sulphate per five gallons of water. The mixture should be agitated constantly while the spray is being put on. AL though this mixture withstands rain fairly we'll, it may wash off to some extent so that a second ap- plication may be found necessary.
 Jap beetles are sometimes partic- ularly harmful to the green silks of corn, preventing pollination by their attacks. To prevent this damage, fine hydrated lime should be dusted onto the tips of the corn plant. If the corn is silking when it is attacked this treatment should be repeated three times at three day intervals. When the silks turn brown, the corn has already been pollinated, and treatment is no longer necessary.
 Spraying of berry bushes is un- satisfactory because the residue is extremely difficult to remove. Ber- ry crops are best protected by wrapping the bushes in cheesecloth when the beetles are present.
 Lawn Protection
 If the Japanese beetle infestation is heavy, it's a sure bet that the adults will lay their eggs in nearby lawns, with resultant grub damage the following year. If grub pres ence is suspected, examine the undersurface of the turf in mid September. Five or ten grubs to each square foot of turf indicates that treatment is l.eeded Also, if grubs damaged the lawn this spring, there will probably be a re-occurrence next season, making re-seeding necessary. MT. John son emphasizes the fact that it is less expensive to treat the lawn before the damage is done.
 Lead arsenate is the best material for lawn treatment. Use 10 pounds per each 1000 square feet. This can be applied as a powder or spray or put on with the watering can. The important thing is to get it on evenly. After application the Town should be lightly sprinkled with fine spray of water to wash the lead arsenate into the ground.
 The fall application should not be delayed too long if much bene-