83 



those compounds.'' The fact should be firmly impressed upon all those 

 who have anything to do with these solutions that the}^ are of the most 

 poisonous nature. All packages, boxes, or bottles containing the 

 materials should be plainly labeled and kept in secure places which can 

 be locked. The utensils in which the mixtures are prepared should 

 be thoroughly cleansed or kept in some secure place, so that no mis- 

 take can occur in using them for other purposes. 



COST OF SPRAYING. 



The cost of spraying is so small when compared with the benefits to 

 be obtained that we can say it is the very best investment the grower 

 can make. As with other farming operations, the first 3^ear will be 

 more expensive than succeeding years, as by experience the fruit 

 grower will be able to reduce expense considerably without impairing 

 efficiency. It is a very difficult task to estimate the cost of spraj ing, 

 for man}^ factors enter into the problem. The initial cost of the outfit 

 varies from $15 to $75 for hand-power outfits and from |200 to $275 

 for gasoline outfits. These outfits can be used for man}^ years, and 

 the parts of the gasoline outfit can be used for other purposes. The 

 cost for spraying material amounts to little. 



The cost of the different spraying materials will vary with the 

 difierent sections of the country, according to the freight rates and 

 the quantities purchased by fruit growers. Where a large amount of 



« Altliough no accidents are known to have occurred from the use of arsenicals in 

 spra\'ing, it is well to know what to do in case of accidental poisoning. If evil 

 effects are noted in the case of persons who constantly handle these poisons, a physi- 

 cian should be consulted. If by any mistake or carelessness a small quantity is swal- 

 lowed, an antidote should be employed without delay. The following extract in 

 regard to antidotes for arsenic poisoning is taken from Poisons: Their Effect and 

 Detection, by A. W. Blyth: 



"In any case where there is opportunity for immediate treatment, ferric hydrate 

 should be administered as an antidote. This converts the soluble arsenic acid into 

 the insoluble ferric arsenate, the ferric; oxid being reduced to ferrous oxid. It is neces- 

 sary to use ferric hydrate recently prepared, for if dried it changes into an oxyhydrate, 

 or even if kept under water the same change occurs, so that after four months the 

 power of the moist mass is reduced to one-half and after five months to one-fourth. 

 When once the poison has been removed from the stomach by absorption into the 

 tissues the administration of the hydrate is absolutely useless. 



" Ferric hydrate is prepared by adding strong ammonia to the solution or tincture 

 of ferric chlorid found in every chemist's shop, care being taken to add no excess of 

 caustic ammonia." 



Lime water may also be used as an antidote, but it is not so effective as ferric 

 hydrate. It is understood that after the antidote some emetic, such as mustard or 

 warm water, should be administered immediately. Persons who use great quan- 

 tities of arsenites in spraying, and who are some distance from drug stores, are 

 advisgd to keep a small bottle of each of the chemicals named to use in making the 

 ferric hydrate. In preparing ferric hydrate continue to ad<l the ammonia i;ntil, 

 after being well shaken, a faint odor of ammonia can be observed. 



