METHODS OF CONTROL 195 



hyde method is applied as follows: 

 The beds are thoroughly prepared in the 

 same way as in other methods of steriliza- 

 tion and are drenched with a formalin solu- 

 tion composed of one pint of commercial 

 formaldehyde to 25 gallons of water, one 

 gallon of this solution being used to each 

 square foot of bed space. The solution 

 should be put on with a watering can and 

 distributed as evenly as possible over the 

 bed so as to wet the soil thoroughly to the 

 depth of a foot. It will in most cases be 

 necessary to apply this solution two or 

 three times, as the soil will not absorb this 

 quantity of liquid at one time. After the 

 treatment the beds should be covered with 

 heavy burlap to keep in the fumes for a 

 day or so, and then aired for a week before 

 planting. Stirring the soil at this time 

 helps the escape of the formaldehyde 

 fumes. 



