512 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. D«c. 



It is extremely important, therefore, that the fruit-grower know 

 definitely the quality of the poison a dealer proposes to sell him. 

 Moreover, he will do well to avoid the cheaper grades of this ma- 

 terial. It is safe to say that the majority of them are unreliable. 

 This has been the excuse that some manufacturers have given for the 

 km quality of their materials. "It will not pay us," they say, "to 

 produce a good article to go into the market alongside of the cheaper 

 grades of poison, which the growers persist in buying simply be- 

 cause they are cheap." This is unfortunately true to a large ex- 

 tent. But once the growers appreciate the folly of this iienny-wise, 

 pound-foolish policy there can be no doubt that the lov.'-grades will 

 "go begging" for purchasers at any price. The manufacturers have 

 thus shown that it is possible to make a green which will meet the re- 

 quirements of spraying purposes if the growers are willing to pay for 

 it. On the other hand, unfortunately, the manufacturers are not 

 always above suspicion. They seem willing to put out a medium- 

 grade article and charge first-grade prices for it under the plea that 

 it is "specially prepared." Then, too, some manufacturers, at least 

 are preparing two grades of poison: one for sale in States where rigid 

 lav\^s are in force, the other for the less exacting Commonwealths. 

 The only safe policy, therefore, lies in the enactment of laws defining 

 the qualities of the green to be sold and providing for the inspection 

 and analysis of all that is offered for sale. It is with the desire to 

 acquaint farmers and fruit-growers with the true state of affairs, 

 and with the hope of awakening them to a realization of their full 

 needs, that these details are entered into here. 



Unfortunately, there are no simple tests which will indicate 

 whether a Paris green is up to full strength or free from the objec- 

 tionable white arsenic in the uncombined state. It requires special 

 chemical knowledge and apparatus to determine these points satis- 

 factorily. There are, however, a few tests which the farmer can 

 mak( for himself, showing whether a sample has been greatly adul- 

 tortited or not. These are given below^, in addition to another which 

 can be made by any one possessing a fairly good microscope. It is 

 r"commended that a farmer perform these simple tests upon a sample 

 of the green which he proposes to buy, and if they fulfill these to 

 submit the sample to higher authority for examination. If the 

 san.ple fail in these preliminary tests, it is unworthy of further con- 

 sideration and it should then be discarded, thus saving delay in ascer- 

 taining these same facts from some other authority. 



Tests for Paris Green. 

 3. Paris green should be a wholly dry and impalpable powder. If 

 the sample feels gritty when rubbed between the fingers, or if the 

 mass clings together in cakes or lumps, it is impure and unworthy «f 

 further trial. 



