224 SECOND THOUSAND QUESTIONS IN AGRICULTURE 



Bordeaux Mixture. 



The formula and method of preparation and use are given on pages 

 226 and 227. As an insect repellent it is used for the flea-beetles, 

 cucumber beetles, diabrotica, and other leaf-eating insects. 



Bordeaux mixture may be used in combination with Paris green, lead 

 arsenate (acid and neutral), calcium arsenite and in some instances with 

 rosin soap for special purposes, but should not be combined with tobacco 

 or used prior to fumigation. 



Bands. 



To prevent insects from crawling up the trunks of trees and plants 

 various bands have been devised which have proven exceedingly successful 

 in many instances. 



Tanglefoot. Tree tanglefoot is a thick, sticky substance which, when 

 applied as a band, remains moist for several weeks and is a very effective 

 barrier against cankerworms, caterpillars, cutworms, Fuller's rose beetle 

 and other crawling insects. The material is put up in cans. It should be 

 applied directly to the trunk of the tree several feet above the ground. 



Sticky Rope. In the work on the California tussock moth, W. H. 

 Volck recommends the use of rope bands saturated in an easily prepared 

 mixture as follows : 



Castor oil 1 gallon 



Rosin 16 pounds 



The rosin and castor oil are gently heated until the former is com- 

 pletely melted. If too thick more oil may be added. The bands dipped in 

 this mixture should be replaced by new ones about every ten days. Crude 

 oil rich in asphaltum or a mixture of equal parts of pine tar and molasses 

 have also given satisfactory results. 



Cotton Bands. Bands of loose cotton fastened around the trunks of 

 the trees are excellent in preventing the ascent of insects. 



Oiled Paper. Oiled paper tied around the trunks of small vines and 

 plants is an old method which sometimes proves practical today. 



Whitewash. 



Besides being used as a direct insecticide in many cases whitewash is 

 often used indirectly to protect the trees against sunburn and thus ward 

 off attacks of borers which seek entrance at any weakened place. There 

 are many formulae for preparing this mixture, two of the more important 

 of which are given below. First, ordinary whitewash : 



Water 2 gallons 



Quick lime 10 pounds 



The lime is placed in a pail and the water added, after which the pail 

 is covered with a couple of canvas sacks or heavy material and allowed to 

 stand for an hour. If the lime is transparent and lumpy it has been 

 scorched, due to the lack of sufficient water. After slaking add enough 

 water to bring it to a brush consistency. 



