300 



A YEAR IN AGRICULTURE 



ger to human beings. Some persons even say that it can be 

 used after the plants have begun to head. While this view 

 seems reasonable, it is perhaps best to be on the safe side 

 and not use poisons after the heads begin to form. Later 

 pyrethrum and white hellebore may be used. 



Striped cucumber beetle. This pest may be controlled by 

 applying Bordeaux mixture and arsenate of lead to the young 

 plants. It should be applied as soon as the plants appear above 



ground, and plants should be kept 

 covered on both the upper and 

 lower sides of the leaves with this 

 material until the vines have be- 

 gun to run. For cucumbers or mel- 

 ons the standard Bordeaux mix- 

 ture is too strong, and a mixture 

 containing half the usual amount 

 of copper sulphate should be used. 

 A mixture of 4 pounds lime, 2 

 pounds copper sulphate, and 2 

 pounds lead arsenate in 50 gallons 

 of water will not injure the plants 

 and will effectively control the 

 insect. 



Lice. Melon lice often destroy a 

 melon, or cucumber crop in a few days. This insect may be 

 effectively controlled by spraying with a 40 per cent solution 

 of nicotine sulphate, reduced to one part in one thousand 

 parts of water. This will effectively control the lice, and will 



FIG. 39. 

 USING THE HAND SPRAY 



