The Preparation and Application of Insecticides 



and Fungicides. , 



By J. S. Houser. 



An insecticide is any material used to prevent or destroy 

 insect pests and a fungicide holds a similar relation to fungus 

 diseases. The employment of one or both is in many cases 

 absolutely essential to the production of first elass agrieultural 

 products. "Where the alternative arises of allowing the pests 

 and diseases. their way,thus producing an inferior product; or 

 of applying preventive or remedial measures, it is a fact dem- 

 onstrated beyond donbt that in the majority of instances the 

 latter course is the more satisfactory and economical. 



Parasitism by both inseets and fungi has mnch to do with 

 insect life in Cuba and before operations to destroy a pest are 

 begun, there should first be a critical examination made to deter- 

 mine whether or not the natural parasities are at work. If the 

 parasities are at work in sufficient quantity to clear up the pest 

 it is by all odds best to allow them their way. 



Much has been written concerning the subject of sprays and 

 spraying and hundreds of formulae have been recomended, many 

 of which might be employed to advantage in particular instances 

 under Cuban conditions. It is the purpose of the present cir- 

 cular however to deal only with those preparations which are 

 most commonly employed and to supply the ever increasing 

 demand of Cuban planters for an easily available treatise upon 

 the subject of sprays and their application. 



