The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1945-09-20
County Agents Column

i. Click
ulation became heavy and possibly
caused as much or more damage
than would have resulted from
the codling moth"
Because DOT is effective only
for certain purposes, and under
certain conditions, the extension
entomologists advises the general
public to learn as much as pos
sible about this powerful insect
icide before using it extensively.
He says the residue Of DOT is
a hazard when on plants consumed
by man or animals; also, the poi
son dissolved in oil is readily alb
sorbed externally through the skin
and should be handled with eau
ton. Other limitations of the in
secticide are that excessive
amounts on plants may cause
burning or willing and too much
DOT in the soil may retard plant
growth.
Despite these limitations, the
USDA reports that this new So
called miracle" insecticide is the
best thing available for certain
of mans worst insect enemies,
Brannon states.
It is repeatedly the perfect ans
wer to the bedbug problem.
When properly applied as a S per
cent powder to mattresses, beds
and chicken houses, these places
will remain free Of bedbugs for 6
months or longer, according to
USDA report.
In addition to the bedbug,
housefly, mosquito, among other
insects against which DOT is said
to be effective, are the cockroach,
flea, brown dog tick, some species
of ants, and certain insects at
lacking vegetables, cereal and
fruit crops, logs and woodwork
of buildings, and stored seeds.
SQUASH AND PUMPKINS
And were you fortunate enough
to raise some squash or pumpkins
without the squashbug taking all
of the vines? Here's q few tips on
storage of squash and pumpkins:
John Dodge, Horticulturist, says
two important things to remember
are Cd be sure the squash is ma
ture before you store it, and ca
be sure you put it in a dry airy
place. These two things 60 for
pumpkin storage, too. AS a matter
of fact, about everything we say
here about squash applies to
pumpkins, as well-except that
they don't ordinarily keep as long
as squash.
Well-ripened squash stored in a
dry airy place viii keep satisfac-
torily for several months. Attics,
dry Easements, lofts or vacant
rooms where there isn't any dam
ger Of freezing may be used for
the storing.
But make sure the squash Is
well-ripened before you store it.
On many kinds of squash you can
tell by the thickness and hard
ness of the shells, If it is mature
and ready to be stored. Other
varities as they become mature
will lose the greenness Of their
color and develop q bright, waxy
appearance. The, ground spot
where the fruit has rested on the
soil usually. becomes golden or
yellow when the squash ap-
proaches maturity; whereas, the
spot is usually white in the case oil
immature squash.
Now, about the temperature.
Horticultural, Dodge says 50 sto|
go degrees F. is a good tempera-
ture for storage.
But If you want the squash to|
ripen to some extent while it's
in storage, he advises you to keep
the temperature about 10 degrees
higher-that is, between 60 and
20 degrees F.-during the first
two weeks Of storage.
And, now here's one last word
about storing both squash and
Handle them carefully,
for decay is apt to set in, in places
where you brlise them.
The Extension Service has al
fine bulletin on Storage of Fruits
and Vegetables" This bulletin
may be secured upon request
from the County Agents office,
Kennewick.
TRAM SERVICE
The Los Angeles street rail.