Evening star., 1945-06-10

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so that we are beginning to get use
where their numbers seem to be de-
clining, but in others they are still
on the increase. Apparently it takes
about three years for them to reach
their pest infestation. After that
their natural enemies begin to take
an increasing toll and their num-
bers decrease
Many gardeners have used the
Milky disease" to control the Jap
anese beetles. 1t increases in effec-
tlVeness for two or three years after
the application. AS more and more
gardeners use it less damage may be
expected from the beetle. Lead ar
senate is another effective remedy
but both of these can be used only
on turf. They should be applied in
the early fall or spring for that is
when the grubs of the beetle are
feeding on grass roots and are most
easily killed. The beetles avoid
poisoned foliage so unless the spray
is made especially for them they
will escape destruction.
Since the grubs feed on grass roots
for the major portion of the year
and because lawns are not especially
easy to have in this area the fight
to control the japanese beetle should
be primarily waged while they are
IN the grub stage. While the per
pound cost of the milky disease"
may seem considerably higher than
the per pound cost of the lead arse
nate, the difference in coverage and
length of effectiveness makes the
former cheaper in the long run.
One pound of the Milky disease"
will treat about 1000 square feet, a
pound of lead arsenate 100 square
feet. The lead arsenate is a deadly
poison that must be handled with
care, especially to wash the dust
down into the soil after spreading.
The most obvious injury by the
Japanese beetle is the eating of
flowers and foliage. Fortunately
they do not attack all kinds. They
love roses, hollyhocks, Gamma, eve
ming primrose, mallow and many
others. They do not bother many
OF the vegetables; only sweet corn
and soybeans are seriously attacked
asparagus, beans and rhubarb mod
erately, while other kinds are rela.
lively immune to injury. The beetles
may ruin a crop Of sweet corn since
they feed on the silks and prevent
pollination. However, by busting the
silks with lime or lime and rotenons
they are repelled. The corn cal
worm will be more or less controlled
also if rotenone is mixed with thu
lime and applications made early.
The japanese beetle attacks al
fruits except the pear, gooseberry
and dewberry. 1t is particularly
destructive of grapes and the frui
OF the raspberry. The best protec
tlon seems to be ime-aluminun
sulphate spray. Mix two pound.
OF hydrated lime (for spraying pur.
poses) and one-half pound of alu.
mlnum sulphate in 10 gallons ot
water. This spray sticks to the
foliage and is a good repellent. II
is recommended for ornamental!
trees and shrubs, bearing apple
plum and cherry trees, grapevines
small fruits and Towering plants
| Where it is available a derris spray
is preferred by many, especially
for peaches. but it may be used
on other fruits and Towering plants.
Use ~ ounces of per cent rotenone
to 10 gallons of water.
Lacking the above spray mate
rlals, many gardeners will turn to
ordinary lime, either as a dust or
spray. 1t will need to be replaced
after each shower but it is cheap
and is good repellent. Bordeaux
is also a good repellent. as well as
control for plant diseases.
Beetle traps will ensnare MANY
beetles and they should be used to
attract these pests away from fow-
ers and fruits. Place the traps to
one side Of the garden, not in the
center of a rosebed or under a fruit
tree, or the beetles may forget to
go into the trap but will enjoy a
iced on those plants which you are
seeking to protect. The bait will
draw the beetles for a considerable
distance, so unless the traps are
properly placed they ma, serve tc
aggravate rather than to reduce
the damage.
Newly set dogwoods should be
carefully watched for signs of borers
The flat-headed apple borer attack:
dogwoods only when in a weakened
condition. This pest may kill a dog.
wood, frequent occurrence in thi:
area. The best protection is te
wrap the trunk with tough paper
Most gardeners, however, watch fol
the telltale piles of sawdust Al
the base of the tree. When observed
they thrust a soft copper wire into
the tunnel to spear the worm. I,
this proves difficult, few grain:
OF paradichlorobenzine (P. D. B.
may be inserted into the tunnel anc
the opening plugged with dirt O,
wax.
/ x X \
Rose thrips seem to be widespread
this season, and many gardeners are
reporting their roses infested. This
tiny insect gets inside of the bud
and sucks the sap from the petals
so that the flowers if they open at
all are misshapen. The best control
Is nicotine sulphate sprayed every
few days at double strength for a
week or more. In severe infesta-
tions it may be necessary to remove
all buds showing color. Once the
thr1ps get inside of the buds the
spray cannot reach them.
| X X X X
Cucumbers are not easy to grow
but most gardeners like to plant two
| sacrifices, It appears from whis.