348 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In couclusion let nie say, that these experiments show that far more of these 

 arsenites are used than is necessary. It is always best to use the minimum 

 amount, wliich, as we have seen is very small. AVe also see why it is that we 

 often have to make a second application of these poisons to render them fully 

 effective. They further explain why it is that many people eat currants and 

 cabbages after having treated them with these poisons and yet receive no 

 harm. We should certainly advise all to be very cautious in the use of 

 poisons as virulent as are these arsenites. Pyrethrum is safe and effective 

 against the cabbage caterpillars, and so the arsenites should never be used. 

 True, if used on the first brood before the heading had commenced at all, 

 there would be no danger; but if used at all, we may use them after heading 

 has commenced, when the poison may find lodgment and death result. Where 

 such an accident is possible, no risk is excusable. I do not hesitate, however, 

 to say that I consider the use of Paris green or London purple entirely safe on 

 fruit trees where the fruit will not be eaten for four or five weeks after the 

 application. With so good a specific as white hellebore at our command, we 

 should never use these arsenites to fight the currant slug. Here we have to 

 fight the insects at the very time when we wish to use the fruit. Of course, 

 careful rinsing will remove the poison ; but suppose the rinsing is not 

 thorough? The possible results should make all iiesitate. In case of the 

 codling moth, there can be no possible danger, in our Eastern States, in 

 using these arsenical poisons; and, from the experiments described above, we 

 see that the danger is very slight even in such rainless regions as California. 

 I have no doubt but that the danger of using these poisons will be greater 

 from carelessness in leaving them where stock may eat thern or where they 

 will be mixed with the food — and from their color these accidents must occur 

 very rarely — than such use as this last mentioned. 



Before closing, let me state that several of our students have tried these 

 experiments and reached the same results that I have reached, as described 

 above. 



CLOVER AND HOW TO HANDLE IT. 



BY GEORGE W. OSBORN", OF 31END0N", MICH. 

 [Read at Galesburg Institute.] 



Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, — About four weeks ago I 

 received a letter from your Secretary, containing an invitation to be present 

 at this meeting, and furnish a paper upon the best way to handle clover. 



I suppose the question includes the sowing, raising, and final disposition of 

 the crop so as to receive the most benefit from it ; or, in other words, how to 

 make the most money out of it, with the least expense. And I have written 

 out my experience, observation, and thoughts, with this understanding of it. 



As sowing the seed is the first thing to be done in raising this important 

 crop, it claims our first consideration. There is a great diversity of opinion 

 upon this point; some sow in the fall, some in February and March, and 

 others in April and May. I have sowed clover at all these different times. 



