118 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



2-3 EDWARD VII., A. 1903 



A material known as Bug Death was compared this year with poisoned Bordeaux 

 mixture in an experiment to prevent blight and rot, and te kill the Colorado potato 

 beetle. 



In the pamhlet on Bag Death, published by the Bug Death Chemical Company, it 

 is claimed that this material, Bug Death, ' kills the bugs, feeds the plants, and increases 

 the yield.' The object was to find out whether this statement was correct, and to learn 

 if Bug Death could be applied economically in preference to Paris green and Bordeaux 

 mixture. 



On May 28 two rows each, of eleven varieties of potatoes, were planted in as 

 uniform soil as possible. The rows were divided into three equal parts, making the 

 three plots one-thirty-sixth of an acre each. 



At the Experimental Farm it is not the custom to spray for the potato beetle until 

 the young are hatched. The first spraying was not, thei-efore, made until July 10, at 

 which time the larvse were veiy numerous and the plants large and vigorous. 



It is recommended by the Bug Death Company to apply Bug Death dry at the 

 rate of 12|^ pounds or more per acre from three to five times. In order to test its value 

 as plant food it was applied the fu-st time at the rate of 144 lbs. to the acre. The 

 plants which were large v/ere gone over twice, in order that the surface of the leaves 

 should be entirely covered with the Bug Death. At the next three applications, 

 namely, on July 22, July 30 and August 13, the Bug Death was sprayed on the vines; 

 the formula used being 1 lb. to 3 gallons of water, as recommended by the company. 

 It was found that 3 gallons of the mixture covered the vines nicely. This was at the 

 rate of 108 gallons per aci-e, or 36 lbs. of Bug Death. The amount of liquid used was 

 by no means excessive, as 190 gallons per acre of Bordeaux mixture were used at each 

 spraying in the experiment, and in field work 120 to 150 gallons per acre has been 

 applied. Where Paris green and water alone were used the mixture was sprayed on at 

 the rate of 130 gallons per acre. 



The following is a statement of the results, and also of the comparisons with 

 other mixtures used : — 



Formula 1. — Bug Death, applied dry, July 10, 1902. Applied at the rate of 144 

 lbs. per acre. 



Result as an Insecticide. — Practically all beetles were killed. 



Formula la. — Bug Death, mixed with water in the proportion of 1 lb. of Bug 

 Death to 3 gallons water. Sprayed on vines July 22, July 30, August 13, each time at 

 the rate of 36 lbs. per acre. Total, 108 lbs. per acre. 



Result as an Insecticide. — Killed practically all the beetles. 



Result as a Fungicide. — Plants remained green longer and yield was larger than 

 where sprayed with Paris green alone, which is an insecticide only, but plants were not 

 as long green, nor the yield as heavy, as where sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. 



Formtda 2. — Paris green, 8 ounces to 40 gallons of water. Sprayed on vines July 

 10, July 22 and July 30, each time at the rate of 2 lbs. 4 ounces per acre. Total, 6 

 lbs. 12 ounces per acre. 



Restdt of spraying Jidy 10. — Only a few bugs left, but more than where Bug 

 Death was vised at the rate of 144 lbs. per acre. 



Formida 3. — 6 lbs. bluestone, 4 lbs. lime, 8 oz. Paris green, 40 gallons water, tlie 

 ordinary formula for potato blight. Sprayed on vines July 10, July 22, July 30, 

 August 13, each time at the rate of 28| lbs. bluestone and 2 lbs. 6 oz. Paris green 

 per acre. Total, 114 lbs. bluestone and 9 lbs. 8 oz. Paris green per acre. 



