^a^ t second-suess 



w 



iih PESTICIDES 



With the passing of the Pesticide Residue Amendment to the Federal 

 Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, commonly known as the Miller Bill, some of 

 our spray recommendations became passe. An excellent example is Profes- 

 sor Bailey's article, "Strawberries Can Be Virus-free," that appeared in the 

 last issue of Research in Review. The recommendation that Parathion and 

 Malathion should never he used on straicberry-bearing beds during bloom nor 

 within two weeks of harvest is now revised, according to the provisions of the 

 Miller Bill, to read Do not use parathion during bloom or after fruit sets nor 

 malathion during bloom or within three days of harvest. 



This new legislation places in your hands the entire responsibility for 

 avoiding the misapplication of pesticides and for knowing the answers to any 

 questions concerning these chemicals. On what crops, on or around what 

 animals, at what concentrations, in how many applications, and how close 

 to harvest or pasturing may each particular pesticide be used safely and 

 legally? These questions concern everyone using insecticides, fungicides, 

 herbicides, or rodenticides — any economic poison — in the production of 

 high quality fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, forage, meat, milk, and eggs. 



The answers are readily available: they come to you on labels; in pest 

 control charts ; in state, federal, and county bulletins ; circulars, leaflets, and 

 letters ; in conversation with state, federal, county, and commercial repre- 

 sentatives; and during extension meetings. 



This important information is not the result of guesswork. It represents 

 extensive field and laboratory work by pesticide manufacturers. Data on 

 toxicology, residues, and effectiveness are presented in support of the claims 

 printed on pesticide packages. These data are then studied by competent 

 officials of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Federal Food and 

 Drug Administration, who establish safe limits for the residues. Directions 

 for use are examined and modified when necessary to insure at harvesttime 

 residues that fall within the established tolerances (amounts of pesticide 

 residue that can legally remain in or on a crop). 



Tolerances have not been established as yet for all pesticides on all 

 crops. We must be ready to expect changes and to be on the alert for them. 

 It is important to compare with newest labels any directions for pesticide 

 usage published before or even during 1956. 



Research discovers the pesticides and develops the signposts leading to 

 their safe and effective use. It is up to you to follow them. 



DR. ELLSWORTH WHEELER 



Department of Entomology 



