Suggestions about Spraying. 253 



Two cases where Bordeaux prevents loss by insects.— ^There are only 

 two cases, so far as we definitely know, wherein Bordeaux is of service 

 in preventing the ravages of insects, and in these instances it cannot 

 properly be called an " insecticide " for it does not kill the insects but 

 simply makes their feeding ground unpleasant. These two cases may 

 be briefly mentioned. It has been repeatedly observed that potatoes 

 well sprayed with Bordeaux are much freer from the attacks of the 

 flea-beetle than unsprayed potatoes are. It was with this fact in mind 

 that the writer, the past spring, sprayed with Bordeaux some cucum- 

 ber vines which were being destroyed by the striped cucumber beetle. 

 It was with some surprise, considering the persistent habit of these 

 insects, that they were found to have disappeared when the plants 

 were examined a short time after the application was made. Several 

 sprayings served to protect the plants from further injury. This is the 

 result of only one season's experiment ; further observations may not 

 confirm this opinion, although similar results have been reported from 

 the New Jersey Agricultural College Experiment Station.* This 

 report had not been seen by the writer when the above experiment was 

 made. The fact ought to be reiterated that the beneficial results of 

 Bordeaux in these cases is simply in making the foHage of the plants 

 an unpleasant place for the insects, and, as a rule, it is of no value as 

 an insecticide. 



ThorougJuiess is most important. — While the application of improper 

 materials and use of right materials at improper times are productive 

 of much dissatisfaction with spraying, we are convinced that careless- 

 ness and work indifferently done are the cause of more unsatisfactory 

 results from spraying than almost all other causes combined. Com- 

 paratively few people yet know how to spray and do it well^ notwith- 

 standing the fact that it is generally not a difficult thing to do. So 

 the one essential to satisfactory results from spraying, as it appeals to 

 us, which needs more emphasis than any other, is thoroughtiess in the 

 work. The requisites for such a job of spraying are a tree or plant 

 well pruned, a good pump, a good nozzle, abundance of spraying 

 material (it is not expensive), and with all, a fair degree of patience on 

 the part of those who are doing the work ; then spray the tree until 

 every leaf is moistened — until the material begins to drip from the 



* Niuth Ann. Rep., 1S96, p. 358. 



