RED SF'IDER ON COTTON AND HOW TO CONTROL IT. 



11 



on a few wild and cidtivated plants, and the manner of dispersion of 

 the pest lead to the following cultural recommendations: 



WEED DESTRUCTION. 



Many weeds and plants serve as sources of dispersion. By destroy- 

 ing, during the winter and early sprmg, pokeweed, Jerusalem oak, 

 jimson weed, wild blackberry, wild geranium, and other weeds in 

 and around cotton fields, the greatest step toward red-spider control 

 will have been taken. This plan has been tested in several instances 

 and has given complete immunity the following season. 



CONTROL ON DOORYARD PLANTS. 



A few kinds of cultivated plants, especially violets, remain green 

 through the winter and are well adapted to serve as winter hosts of 

 the red spider. Many cases of cotton infestation can be traced to 

 near-by dooryards. The beds of violets and other plants should be 

 sprayed thoroughly as soon as they show signs of infestation. The 

 most satisfactory procedm'e, where violets are concerned, is to remove 

 or destroy them. 



HERBICIDES. 



Certain chemical sprays can be apphed to weed and plant borders, 

 which kiU tliem rather quickly. Of these, socUmn arsenate, used at 

 the rate of 1 pound to 20 gallons of water, is the most satisfactory. 

 The ease and speed of destruction that accompany the use of such a 

 remedy justify urging its use as a substitute for the old-fashioned 

 and tedious hoeing method. (See fig. 8.) It must be remembered, 

 however, that sodimn arsenate is a poison, and care should be taken 

 to prevent horses and cattle from grazing on treated weeds. 



-Portable barrel pump for application of herbicide to weed borders. 



