l-^G STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Ihoy were placed between Tiioist sheets of filter-paper, eacli lot under a separate 

 bi'll-jar. In the ease of lot No. 1, !).3 of the 100 fruits germinated at the end of two 

 weeks: in lot No. 2. 7() frcrniinated ;in lot No. 3 (check), 93 germinated, and in lot 4, 

 50, in the same length of time. 



E.\posure to the weaker strength (two drams to the cubic foot) somewh^.t acceler- 

 ated Ihe germination without injuring the seed, while exposure to the stronger gas 

 Killed the seed directly in ])roportion to the time exposed. 



The gas is strong enough when used in the lesser rate to kill all insects and vermin 

 that may infest it. Great care nuist be emploj^'cl in using the substance, for it is 

 explosive when lighted and very poisonous to breathe. The seed or grain should be in 

 air-tight bins or barrels, and means sliould be at hand to close them tightly and 

 quickly. The space in the bin or barrel should be computed, counting in any air- 

 space above the seed, for the gas will occupy the space, too. For every cubic foot of 

 space, one dram of the liquid should be used; for every 100 cubic feet one pound of 

 the liquid will suffice. Shallow pans or dishes should be placed on top of the seed 

 and the liquid poured into them, after which the bins or receptacles should be 

 quickly and tightly closed. Wet blankets and old carpets will do very nicely for this 

 purpose if enough of them are used. 



If the seed or grain is more than three or four feet deep, some of the liquid 

 should be poured into it at some depth to ensure its spreading evenly and filling 

 all the space treated. This is easily done with a piece of gas-pipe fitted with a wooden 

 stick for its entire length. The, pipe, with the stick in place, filling the hole, is 

 thrust down half way, the stick is withdrawn and the liquid poured down through 

 the pipe. The stick merely prevents the pipe from being filled with grain when 

 pushed into place. 



The liquid carbon-bisulphide, on being liberated, will be quickly transformed into 

 a gas, which, being heavier than air, settles to the bottom and fills all the air-spaces 

 between the seeds or kernels. The liquid costs about 30 cents for a single pound, or 

 about 10 cents per pound when purchased in .50 pound lots. It can be used to kill 

 insects in the granary, in the pantry, clothes moths, and in fact any insect in material 

 that can be placed in trunks, chests, or barrels that can be tightly closed. In sreneral, 

 one dram should be used for a cubic foot of space, as some seeds are injured if 

 STibjected to too strong a treatment. The work must be done in the daytime, away 

 from lamps, stoves or fires of any sort, and no fires must be allowed to come near it 

 until everything has been aired thoroughly. Grain should be shoveled over several 

 times. Great care must be observed to breathe as little as possible, for it is very 

 dangerous and will as easily produce death among men as among insects. 



FORMULAS AND DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF INSECTICIDES. 



To be of much service, spraying must be thoroughly done. A conscientious and 

 thorough spraying will wet every part of every limb, twig and leaf on both sides. 

 To accomplish this result cheaply and surely, a spray as fine and mist-like as possible 

 must be used. When a poor nozzle is used, one that projects a coarse spray composed of 

 distinct drops of liquid, much is sure to fall to the ground and be lost. Good nozzles 

 save enough insecticide to pay for themselves in a short time. When contact insecti- 

 cides, such as kerosene emulsion or whale oil soap, are used, each insect must be fairly 

 hit with the liquid to be killed. 



Insects that chew or bite their food are usually most cheaply and effectually killed 

 with arsenites, such as Paris green, while those that suck their food from beneath the 

 surface of the plant have to be killed by contact insecticides, such as kerosene emul- 

 sion, whale oil soap, etc. In some cases insects that chew have to be killed with 

 contact insecticides ; for instance, when they are on fruits or vegetables nearly mature 

 or on which it would be dangerous to use Paris green because of its poisonous prop- 

 erties. 



The pump should be strong and well made, of sufficient capacity to throw the one 

 or two sprays required without too great exertion. An attempt to spray a large 

 orchard with a pump designed for use on small garden plants is discouraging, to say 

 the least. 



When large, high trees are to be sprayed, it is often found best to build an elevated 

 stage on top of the wagon-tank or "over the barrel containing the liquid. To reach 

 the top of the tree, it is usually best to fasten the nozzle to the tip of a strong 



