IN THE EVERGLADES 125 



probably come to more general use as we become better ac- 

 quainted with its beneficial results. 



As a spray for sucking insects, like the green aphis, for ex- 

 ample, which often does very serious damage in our fields of 

 cucumbers and egg plants, I have found nothing better than a 

 solution of whale oil soap. It has the power of not only destroy- 

 ing these insects together with their eggs, but the disagreeable 

 fishy smell seems to drive away the adult insects and keeps them 

 from depositing their eggs for some length of time after an ap- 

 plication. 



Great care must be taken always in applying these remedies 

 to make sure that the caustic effect will not burn the foliage. 

 Before applying insecticides it is best to first make individual tests 

 upon each crop, for a crop that is growing luxuriantly is much 

 more easily damaged by such strong applications than one which 

 has its foliage hardened through drouth or other detrimental con- 

 ditions. 



As before mentioned, it is much better to combat both fungi 

 and insects by anticipating or preventing their appearance, for 

 after they have once gained a strong foothold it is a difficult 

 matter to exterminate them. "An ounce of prevention is worth 

 a pound of cure." 



In view of the fact that so many of the insecticides and fungi- 

 cides are either fraudulently combined and are extremely ex- 

 pensive considering the value of the ingredients employed, it 

 would be well for the public to be very sure of the composition 

 and value of any such compound before purchasing it in quanti- 

 ties, and for this reason I would advise the grower to obtain 

 samples and send them on to the State Chemist at Tallahassee 

 for analysis. 



In many cases a great deal can be found out by consulting 

 bulletins from Experimental Stations dealing with this subject. 

 It is to supply this want that the Bureau of Chemistry has issued 

 bulletins which are a preliminary report to a bulletin more tech- 

 nical in character, which can also be gotten from the Agricultural 

 Department at Washington and which should be in the possession 

 of all contemplating truck farming in this country. 



