METHODS OF CONTROLLING TOBACCO INSECTS. 



REMEDIAL MEASURES. 



Even though flea-beetles do gain access to the plant beds in great 

 numbers they can be controlled economically. Nearly all the severe 

 loss of 1907 could have been averted had the growers known the 

 proper remedy to apply. The writer has found the following insecti- 

 cide very efficient in killing the beetles and not at all injurious to 

 the plants: 



Arsenate of lead i in paste form, or £ pound powdered f orm). pound. . 1 



Water gallons. . 12 to Hi 



Mix the arsenate of lead thoroughly in a small quantity of water. 

 pour into the tank, and add sufficient water to make the desired 

 quantity; then apply to the bed with 

 a spray pump until every leaf is thor- 

 oughly dampened. Two very good 

 spray pumps are illustrated in figures 5 

 and 6. If a heavy rain falls soon after 

 the application is made it may be neces- 

 sary to make a second application; but 

 it must be remembered that arsenate 

 of lead will stick to the foliage much 

 longer than Paris green, and will not be 

 greatly dissipated by a light shower. 

 After the plants have grown consider- 

 ably it will be necessary to spray the 

 bed again if flea-beetles are still numer- 

 ous, for the new foliage will, of course, 

 not be protected by the first applica- 

 tion. 



If flea-beetles are very numerous at 

 the time of setting tobacco, the plants 

 can be protected for several days by 

 dipping the tops, just before setting, in 

 the arsenate of lead spray recommended 

 for use upon the plant bed. If plants 

 are not dipped at setting time and if the 

 flea-beetles appear in the fields in inju- 

 rious numbers, apply the arsenate of 

 lead, in the strength recommended above, with a knapsack sprayer 

 (fig. 6). With this sprayer one man can spray from 5 to 6 acres of 

 young tobacco in a day at a cost of from 25 to 35 cents an acre for 

 arsenate of lead. 



Tobacco growers as a rule pay too little attention to protecting 

 their plant beds from insect attack. The result is that more of the 



Fig. 5. — Compressed-air spray pump. 



