Die compatibility and the amount of agitation needed can be determined by observing jar 

 ji'B" (without adjuvant). If the materials remain suspended for over 2 hours without sepa- 

 rating, flaking, precipitating, or "gunk" formation, there is no need for extra spray 

 adjuvant, and only moderate agitation is needed. If they separate but can be easily 

 resuspended , the materials can be combined and applied together with thorough agitation. 



The need for extra adjuvant can be determined by comparing jar "A" (adjuvant added) with 

 .jar "B." If the materials in "A" remain suspended while those in "B" do not, then extra 

 emulsifier or dispersing agent may make the combination possible. Remember : some 

 "fertilizer grade" materials already have extra adjuvants added. 



TESTING FOR HERBICIDE RESIDUE 



Will this year's crop be injured by last year's herbicide? You can find out by growing 

 seedlings of susceptible plants in "suspect soil" while you are doing your early spring 

 planting or gardening. 



Gather soil samples from areas where you suspect herbicide carryover. Headlands and hills 

 that may have received excessive doses because of overlapping or decreased sprayer speed 

 are likely areas. You will need about 2 quarts of suspect soil and 2 quarts of untreated 

 : soil. Be certain your samples are representative. If you use pint containers, you can 

 have 4 containers with "suspect" soil and 4 with untreated samples for comparison. If 

 necessary, check samples can be prepared from suspect soil by adding activated charcoal 

 (1 gram for each 2 quarts). Activated charcoal capsules of the half -gram size can be 

 obtained from most drugstores. 



Place the soil into the containers. Metal or cardboard containers should have holes 

 punched in the bottom for drainage. Seed about 15 oats, a half teaspoon of lawngrass 

 seeds, or 6 soybean seeds per container. Water the soil, but do not saturate. Place the 

 containers in a warm place where they will receive sunlight. Keep the soil moist, but not 

 overwet. 



Injury symptoms should appear in about 2 to 3 weeks- -by the time the seedlings are 3 to 

 4 inches tall. The time required will depend partly on temperature and moisture. Severe 

 injury will result in a complete kill of the seedlings. Marginal injury can best be 

 determined by comparing check and suspect samples. 



You can minimize field injury by thoroughly mixing the soil during seedbed preparation. 

 Plow rather than disk. Delaying planting will allow greater time for chemical breakdown. 

 Another choice is to grow a less-susceptible crop. 



When planning this year's herbicide program, consider what crops you plan to grow next year. 



i 



I PESTICIDES IN WELLS 



, Several calls are received each year about pesticides that accidentally get into a well, 

 i Often, the contamination is caused by flushing or overflowing the sprayer near the well. 



Also, water systems with freeze drains or without pressure tanks can back-siphon liquid 



from a sprayer tank if hoses are not removed and the valves closed. 



' Prevention is certainly cheaper and easier than the cure. Close all valves and remove the 

 ' hose from the tank after filling. But never put the hose inside the tank. A bracket to 

 [ hold the hose at the top of the tank will also prevent siphoning. 



! Don't leave the tank while it is filling. And don't flush tanks where the material will 

 drain into the well. 



