FORTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT. 167 



TOBACCO. 



Tobacco in the form of dust may be obtained of the large manufac- 

 turers for a few cents a pound. 



It is useful in destroying root-lice, especially woolly-aphis, in young- 

 trees, and in keeping insects from garden truck. For root-aphis, in- 

 corporate four to six handfuls of tobacco dust into the soil about the 

 roots and induce a thrifty, healthy growth by using liberal quantities 

 of nitrate of soda or barnyard manure early in the spring. 



A strong infusion or tea made of waste will kill plant lice if sprayed 

 when they first appear. 



Nicotine is to be had now in concentrated form. It is more often 

 sold about 40 per cent strong. This may be diluted many hundreds of 

 times before applying. As there is a diversity of grades and brands to be 

 had, it will be well to use the strength recommended by the makers. 



HYDRATED LIME. 



Finely slaked lime is often useful because of its slight caustic proper- 

 ties. Against such larvae of saw-flies and beetles as are sticky, for in- 

 stance, those of the cherry-slug and asparagus-beetle, it may be used as 

 a substitute for poison, if the latter, for some reason is undesirable. 



Stone lime may be slaked with a small amount of hot water, using just 

 enough to turn it to a dry powder. Such slaked lime is as fine as flour 

 and very soft to the touch, having very little grit. Use a metal pail or 

 kettle to slake in, as the heat may set fire to wood. Do not use too much 

 water, and where possible, use freshly burned lime. 



Hydrated lime may be used in making Bordeaux mixture, but it is not 

 as reliable as good, fresh, lump lime. It is less adhesive, not as strong 

 (so more should be used) and more expensive. The one advantage is that 

 it is a little easier to use. 



Ground lime for making Bordeaux mixture acts exactly like lump lime, 

 if fresh, but this is difficult to determine as it is already in a powder. 



CAUTIONS. 



Do not spray while plants are in bloom. It is prohibited by law, ex- 

 cept when canker-worm is present, and may destroy bees and other bene- 

 ficial insects. 



Do not dissolve copper sulphate in an iron or tin vessel. It will ruin 

 the vessel and spoil the spraying solution. 



For all spraying solutions containing copper sulphate, the pump must 

 be brass or porcelain lined. 



Wash out pump and entire outfit each time after using. 



Use arsenate of lead on stone fruits in preference to other forms of 

 arsenical poisons. It is less liable to burn the foliage. 



Do not spray fruits or plants with poison within a month or more of 

 the time when they are to be picked. 



Keep all "stock solutions" covered to prevent evaporation. 



Do not spend money for freak "cure-alls," such as powders to be put 

 into a hole bored in the trunk or limbs of trees or liquids to be diluted 

 and poured on the ground beneath the trees. They may do considerable 

 harm. 



