20 . THE TOBACCO THRTPS. 



the hibernated thrips may be killed and not carried to the field on 

 the plants when set ont. Spraying* in the field should be commenced 

 as soon as the plants are transplanted. Two applications a w^eek, 

 when possible, seem advisable. By starting when the plants are in 

 the seed lied and spra^dng regnlarly, it seems probable that the pest 

 can be almost entirely checked. 



In combating the budworm of tobacco it is necessary to apply Paris 

 green in the leaf bud (1 tablespoonfnl to a peck of corn meal) two or 

 three times weekly to prevent serious injury. The moisture fur- 

 nished by the kerosene spray, when it comes in contact with the Paris 

 green, has a tendency to sli'ghtly burn the bud, and care should be 

 taken not to spray into the bud more than is necessary. As the plants 

 get larger this can l)e easily prevented. It will be found well to 

 apply the Paris green and meal on the morning following the spray- 

 ing, when possible. 



HOW TO USE THE EMULSION. 



After experimenting with dili'erent strengths it was found that 

 1 part of the stock enuilsion to 10 parts of water is effective. The 

 emulsion may be handily diluted to the required strength in large 

 quantities, in barrels or casks set near the rows to be sprayed. If 

 left standing for longer than two days, the kerosene separates from 

 the soap and therefore should not be diluted until the day it is to be 

 applied or day before. The tobacco has been sjsrayed with emulsion 

 during the day until it was 6 inches high without burning. Even 

 if burning does occur in this early stage it is not objectionable, as 

 the leaves drop from the stalk before priming commences. 



The emulsion is best applied by means of a knapsack sprayer. 

 While the plants are small the insecticide can be properly applied 

 by spraying one row at a time, but as the plants get larger it has been 

 found best to spray a row twice, going down on one side and back on 

 the other. It has been found that spraying can be commenced shortly 

 after 5 o'clock in the evening, except it be a very bright, hot day, 

 when it will be necessary to wait until a little later. On large planta- 

 tions this gives insufficient time during daylight, and spraying after 

 dai-k becomes necessary. In so spraying after dark the use of two 

 hands to a row, one on each side, preceded by a boy with a lantern or 

 a torch, is a veiy satisfactory and economical method of application. 

 Care should be taken that the spray is distributed over all the leaves, 

 as it must come in contact with the thrips when sprayed in order to 

 be effective. 



COST OF SPRAYING. 



Supplies and labor. — The applications necessary to keep the pest 

 in check will be found to vary considerably, depending upon the rain- 

 fall. It seems improbable that spraying for the maximum period of 

 ten Aveeks Avill be found necessary when regular spraying is started 



