20 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



used in combination with soda ; but the latter mixture must be pre- 

 pared by boiling, and I doubt whether it would not cost in ordinary- 

 hands more than the saving in first cost of materials over the green 

 arsenoid. I have not had personal experience with these substances 

 sufficient to recommend their use. 



Arsenate of lead is in a different case and this has proved in my 

 exoerience to be much preferable to paris green, because of the ease 

 with which it remains in suspension and its absolute harmlessness to 

 foliage at any strength. The material is prepared by dissolving 

 arsenate of soda and acetate of lead in separate vessels and then 

 combining the solutions. 



The formula is : 



Arsenate of Soda, 4 ounces. 



Acetate of lead (sugar of lead), n ounces. 



Dissolve both substances in separate vessels, using sufficient water 

 to take it all up, no definite amount being essential. Then combine 

 the two in a large tank and add water to make from 80 to 100 gallons, 

 stirring thoroughly. At 80 gallons the mixture corresponds to paris 

 green 1 pound in 125 gallons, and this is sufficient for all but the more 

 resistant forms, which require all arsenites in much stronger mixtures. 

 A great advantage in using this compound is that it is always uni- 

 form in strength, and when once the farmer has found just what 

 proportion is most successful for his especial purpose, he can rely 

 upon a similar effect, so long as he is careful to make up his materials 

 in the same way. Another feature is its harmlessness to any foliage 

 at any strength ; hence plants like sweet potatoes may be dipped in it 

 before being set out, and thus protected against attacks of the sweet- 

 potato flea, or the " golden beetles" or " peddlers," which often do 

 much injury before the plants get a fair start. 



Arsenate of lead in dry form has been prepared and advertised; but 

 the product is not satisfactory, and in that condition has lost one of 

 its most valuable features, i. <?., easy suspension in water; it is, in- 

 deed, very heavy and precipitates much more rapidly than paris 

 green. A paste form of arsenate of lead is made by Wm. H. Swift 

 & Co., Boston, Mass., and this has the endorsement of Mr. A. H. 

 Kirkland, of the Gypsy Moth Committee in Massachusetts. H. L,. 

 Frost & Co., 21 South Market street, Boston, Mass., sell the separate 

 chemicals at a reasonable rate. No doubt any large dealer in such 

 products in New York or Philadelphia would make satisfactory 

 prices; but drug-store prices in small towns or villages would be pro- 

 hibitive. I strongly recommend farmers to become familiar with this 

 material. 



