FRUIT NOTES 

 May-June 195U 



In Case some of joVl are v/ondering Tihy you received no issue of FRUIT NOTES 

 dated for Ifey, none was issued during that month because of the pressure of other 

 work which coiald not be sidestepped at this time of year by cur research and in- 

 struction staff members. We regret our inability to fill completely the void cre- 

 ated by the temporary absence of the Extension Horticulturist but would assure you 

 fruit growers of Massachusetts that we stand ready, within the limits of time and 

 ability^ to assist in the solution of your many problems e 



— A.P.French 



■)(■ -if- ■!(■ it- % ^;- ■)!■ -if- •?(■ -js- ^ it 



CARELESS PEOPLE — CHEI'CCALS DON'T tgX 



The death of a six-year old boy in Oregon emphasizes once again the need 

 for caution in handling certain insecticides. 



Caution signs are plainly marked on packages or labels, yet every year some- 

 one gets careles> in the handling of poisons, and death or violent illness results. 

 Again and again scientists and manufacturers have issued warnings, yet people seem 

 to forget. 



The insecticide which caused the Oregon boy's death is knoi^im as TEPP, There 

 are several others in the same category. In the Oregon incident it is quite ap- 

 parent that a bottle of TEPP was left lying in the orchard. The boy came along and 

 found it, did the natural thing — opened the bottle, and thus spilled some of it 

 on his pants. 



We have used poisons for hundreds of years and yet each year some are left 

 within the reach of children. 



Another point we should emphasize is the fact that the poison hazard does 

 not extend to the consumers. As far as consumers are concerned, TEPP is one of the 

 safest insecticides. The toxic effect of TEPP, for instance, disappears vj-ithin a 

 few hours when it is used for the control of insects. 



Before any label can be obtained for the sale of pest control chemicals 

 federal and state officials must be satisfied that the material is safe when used 

 and handled as directed on the label, A material may be toxic and as such must be 

 handled with extreme care. It does not follov^, however, that the products upon 

 which the material is used will harm the consumer, 



E.H.Yilheeler 



•jf ■«• ^;- -;^ •«• -;i- -si- •);•■«■ * * -;;- -5;- 



