62 STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



with the various experiments. In conclusion I will saj* we must not 

 forget that this is pre-eminently an age of progress, that not a j^ear 

 passes but that in the science of entomolog}', as in all others, new 

 facts and new truths are being discovered which, by their develop- 

 ment and application, must soon produce still more satisfactory 

 results than yet obtained, both to the scientific and amateur pomolo- 

 gist as well as the practical orchardist. 



DISCUSSION. 



Ques. I see that horticulturists are agitated over the fatal effects 

 of Paris green. It is said that it floats in the atmosphere and is 

 very dangerous to human beings? 



Ans. Mr. Harlow. I should be glad to read extracts from 

 some of the most able scientists in this count}'. I have experimented 

 with London purple and Paris green ; it has been fully established 

 that there is not the slightest danger in the results. I will not 

 attempt to go into the scientific investigations. There is not an 

 infinitesimal amount of Paris green in proportion to the water ; the 

 slightest drop of homeopathic strength lodges in the calyx of the 

 apple, and eveiy rain and shower washes and removes every particle 

 so that the strictest anal3"sis fails at the end of the season to find a 

 trace of it. It has been proved also that after one or two heavy 

 rains, there is no danger in cutting the grass and letting the animals 

 run under the trees. 



Ques. In spraying the tree, is there enough to hurt the cater- 

 pillar ? 



Ans. If you have caterpillars on your trees, you will see that 

 they will soon leave you, and all other insects. 



Prof. MuNSON. There is not much more to be said on the subject. 

 Mr. Harlow has shown conclusivel}' and his display of fruit shows 

 more clearly still the beneficial effects to be derived from spraying. 

 As for the injurious effects to be obtained from the use of fruit after 

 spraying, I think there is no danger of eating the fruit after maturit}'. 



The danger comes in the use of the insecticide itself, rather than 

 "the danger after the maturity of the fruit. I was very glad to know 

 that he has proved successful in using a solution as diluted as he 

 does. Commonly, solutions used are not as diluted, — about a pound 

 to 150 gallons of water is the ordinary strength for apples and pears. 

 As for the spraying, I notice in Mr. Harlow's remarks, he says that 



