SPRAYS AND POISONS 33 



plied to the foliage as a powder or spray will amply 

 protect plants against these insects. The sap- 

 sucking insects cannot be reached by ordinary means, 

 for they thrust their needle-like beaks into the 

 veins of the plant, where the poison does not go. 

 Fortunately, these bugs have soft bodies and are 

 sensitive to sprays or powders that affect their 

 skins. The aphis, or louse, is the member of this 

 group which must usually be fought in the home 

 garden. 



Arsenate of Lead. — In former days, Paris green 

 was the chief agricultural poison, but in many places 

 arsenate is now used entirely in place of Paris green. 

 It is stronger than Paris green and clings to the 

 foliage much better. If well dried on, a spray of 

 arsenate of lead will stick through several rains, 

 whereas Paris green will soon wash off. Arsenate 

 of lead may be purchased as a paste or as a powder. 

 The powder is the most practical to buy. It does 

 not harden, and there is no expense for a jar. The 

 paste must be packed in a sealed jar and will harden 

 if not kept carefully sealed. 



Arsenate may be applied as a powder, by shaking 

 it on the plants from a tin box with holes punched 

 in the bottom. The easiest way to use it, however, 

 where more than a half dozen plants are to be treated, 

 is in a spray. Mix the powdered arsenate of lead 

 into a paste and then dilute with water. A heaping 

 tablespoonful to a gallon of water will be sufficient. 



