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Q RGAIIIC PHOSPHATES 



TEPP and Parathion 



These two materials are proving useful against certain orchard pests 

 in many parts of the country including Massachusetts, Since both of them are 

 hii^hly poisonous to v;ann-blooded animals, let's learn to handle and use them 

 sa fely . 



These organic phosphates differ from wottable DDT and Lead Arsenate in that 

 they are absorbed through the skin. The manufacturers of tetraethyl pyrophos- 

 phate and Parathion spray materials recognize this fact and give com.plete 

 directions for handling the TEPP liquids and Parathion powders. These directions 

 and precautions are for your safety. 



Residues of TEPP o.re completely non-toxic after several hours and need not 

 concern anyone. Residues remaining from Parathion sprays lose their toxicity to 

 insects after a few days and are neglible on food products after 30 days at the 

 dosages ajid nuraber of applications which seem necessary for insect control. 



uoth materials are employed in the orchard in very dilute concentrations, 

 Hov/ever, spray operators should not be allov/ed to vrear spray soalced clothing nor 

 to be exposed to spray drift for several hours without washing the hands and 

 face thoroughly. Arrange the clothing to prevent drip dovm the back of the neck. 

 Provide a means for thorough washing of hands and face and limit the hours one 

 operator is exposed to excessive drift of spray mists, 



TEPP has been a very effective material against mites and aphis this season, 

 Parathion is a good miticide and in addition may prove very useful against 

 summer 7md Moth and second generation Red-bojided Leafroller, It is being used 

 by some grcn-/ers to control curculio on peaches, 



— Ellsworth H, Vflieeler 



V.li y Som.e Spray Prog rams Eail . More spray progrejns "miss the mark" 

 because of poor coverage than because the wrong materials are used. 

 Almost any brand of material v/ill give satisfactory results if 

 properly applied. Failure to cover all parts of the trees is the 

 most common m.istaice of the spraying season. 



Apply Lime V.^enever Conve nient , Liming the soil is one 

 operation v;hich may be done almost any month in the ySar. 

 Unlike mtjxy other orchard jobs, spraying, fertilizing, 

 thinning, mouse control, etc, v;hich are so dependent on 

 careful timing, there is literally no "closed season" on 

 liming. Maybe that's v;hy some folks put it off indefinitely. 

 But in so doing they are losing out on one of the basic 

 things in soil improvement, 



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