Forage crops . We are receiving several questions about the use of herbicides on 

 alfalfa. Eptam and Balan are cleared for preplant use when alfalfa is to be es- 

 tablished without the aid of a companion crop. These herbicides will give pri- 

 mary control only on annual grasses. 2,4-DB, sold under the name of Butyrac or 

 Butoxone, can be used to control small annual broadleaf weeds. 



Small grains . Check wheat now to determine the need for chemical weed control. 

 Used early, 2,4-D will control many broadleaf weeds such as wild mustard. If 

 there is a legume underseeding, apply 0.5 quart per acre of 2,4-D amine. Do not 

 use 2,4-D ester with a legume underseeding unless you want to control wild garlic 

 or wild onion. Then, expect to kill some of the legume. 



To control wild garlic and wild onion, use 0.5 quart per acre of 2,4-D ester. 

 This will not completely control the wild garlic, but will reduce aerial bulblet 

 formation and lessen the possibility of harvest- time dockage for "garlicky" wheat. 



Treat small grains with 2,4-D after they have finished tillering in the spring, 

 but before they reach the boot stage- -when the crop is 4 to 12 inches high. 



SAFETY REMINDERS 



As a pesticide dealer, you are in a unique position to help improve the safety 

 record of pesticides in Illinois. You represent the last contact with the pes- 

 ticide user. Read the label and its precautions. Pesticides bearing the skull 

 and cross bones are very highly toxic and should be handled with special care. 



Pesticide concentrates (materials with a high percentage of active ingredients) 

 are more hazardous than diluted materials. Check for leakers among pesticide 

 containers . Do not toss or drop containers . 



Store and display pesticides in areas away from articles for human or animal 

 consumption or use. 



Urge your customers to read the label, to observe precautions and use directions, 

 and to store pesticides properly away from food and plants in a cabinet or closet 

 that can be locked. Also, remind your customers of the need for proper use and 

 disposal. Tell them never to use an empty pesticide container for other purposes. 



Many of the pesticide ingestions in Illinois each year involve small children who 

 find pesticides improperly stored, often in unlabeled containers. 



PLANT DISEASES 



SOUTHERN CORN LEAF BLIGHT 



Ed Burns has been collecting corn samples in three widely scattered areas in 

 Illinois--Elwood (near Joliet) , Champaign- Urbana, and Dixon Springs. This is to 

 check on the overwintering of the southern corn leaf blight fungus. Ed has col- 

 lected debris from five different tillage methods and from both resistant (N) 

 and susceptible (T) hybrids at monthly intervals. So far, the fungus has been 

 killed in the soil, and is in a weak state in the corn debris above ground. Al- 

 ternate freezing and thawing plus wetting and drying have practically killed the 

 fungus in all three locations. 



