82 STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A NEWLY DISCOVERED INSECTICIDE. 



It is announced that Mr. S. C. Moulton, of the Massachusetts 

 Gypsy Moth Commission, has made a new and important discovery in 

 insecticides. The compound used is arsenate of lead, which is prepared 

 by dissolving eleven ounces of acetate of lead and four ounces of 

 arsenate of soda in 150 gallons of water. These substances dissolve 

 quickly and the arsenate form of lead, which is a fine white powder, 

 much lighter than Paris green, and while fully as effective in destroying 

 insect life, has a number of marked advantages over Paris green. If 

 the mixture happens to be stronger than is necessary, even to the 

 extent of three or four times the necesssary strength, it does not in- 

 jure the foilage upon which it is spread. This is an important point in 

 favor of the new insecticide, for not infrequently in the use of Paris 

 green for the potato beetle and the codling moth larv?e, the poison has 

 burned the foliage and caused as much injury, perhaps, as the in- 

 sect pest would have done. Prof. Fernald, of the Hatch Experiment 

 Station in Massachusetts, in reporting on the new insecticide, says 

 that it is better under all circumstances and for all insects than Paris 

 green. Besides the advantages just referred to it can also be seen on 

 the leaves, so that one can tell what has and what has not been 

 sprayed. Furthermore, being lighter than Paris green, it does not 

 settle so quickly, and as a result it can be distributed over the foliage 

 more evenly. Arsenate of lead can be used, if necessary, in the pro- 

 portion of twenty-five pounds to 150 gallons of water, without injuring 

 the foliage, although no such strength is required to destroy insect 

 life. Prof. Fernald advises the addition of two quarts of glucose or 

 molasses to each 150 gallons of water, in order that the insecticide 

 may adhere to the leaves. Experiments show that it will adhere to 

 the leaves for a long time, even after quite a heavy rain. The cost of 

 the material is quite low. At wholesale rate arsenate of soda costs 8 

 cents per pound, and acetate of lead 14 cents a pound. It should not 

 be forgotten in using these applications that they are very poisonous, 

 and must be handled with care. 



NINTH, PICKING, PACKING AND MARKETING. 



While all the other points I have mentioned are important, this 

 last one is none the less so, for if it is not well done the whole of the 

 best profit is gone, and our work is not a success. I have seen good, 

 fine fruit so handled, and packed and marketed that it did not bring 

 as much as other fruit not so well grown or so large and handsome, 

 just because they were better handled. These times are calling for 



