INSECTICIDES AND EQUIPMENT FOR CONTROLLING INSECTS 51 
WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY INSECTICIDES 
Be prepared to spray or dust whenever an insect infestation threat- 
ensthe crop. Where only a few plants are concerned it may be sufficient 
to pick off and kill the insects or to remove infested leaves. Find out 
what insect is present and whether an insecticide should be used; 
your county agent, Smith-Hughes teacher, extension entomologist, or 
experiment station entomologist, State department of agriculture, or 
the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine of the United States 
Department of Agriculture can give you the necessary information. 
To get the best results in the control of insects, the spray or dust 
mixtures must be properly prepared, and the application must be 
made promptly and thoroughly with good apparatus. Disregard of 
these factors involves waste of material, possibly injury to the plants, 
and questionable results. Do not wait until the plants are seriously 
injured, but begin the treatment as soon as insects or damage is ob- 
served. Using a watering pot or whisk broom is not spraying and is 
a hit-or-miss method that covers the plants only partially. The ideal 
spray is a fine mist, and the best work is done when the entire plant 
is thoroughly and evenly covered with very fine droplets. In case of 
dusts an even and thin coating of the dust particles over the plant 
surfaces is desired. The best results are accomplished by directing the 
sprays or dusts from below to cover the under surfaces of the foliage 
and from above to cover the upper surfaces. It is best to stop spraying 
before the foliage is drenched, otherwise large droplets will form 
and run off the plant, causing wastage. Spraying with a high pres- 
sure gives the best results. It is essential to keep the spray mixture 
stirred during the spraying process. 
The interval between applications will depend upon the weather 
and the habits of the insects. If rains occur soon after the plants 
have been sprayed or dusted, it is often necessary to repeat the treat- 
ment the next day or as soon thereafter as weather conditions permit. 
If one application does not give good control, repeat the treatment. 
FIRST-AID SUGGESTIONS IN CASES OF POISONING 
When handling and using poison, there is a possibility of accident ; 
therefore, the following instructions are given as an aid in cases in 
which poisons have been taken into the stomach. The first step is to 
call a physician immediately, informing him, if possible, of the kind 
of poison taken and the exact time of the accident, so that no time 
will be lost. In the meantime, first-aid care should be given 
promptly. As stated in the American Red Cross Textbook on Red 
Cross Home Nursing (p. 385) : 
“= * * there are two aims in first aid treatment for poisons. 
They are (1) délute the poison and (2) wash it out of the stomach. 
Someone has suggested that a good slogan for first aid treatment for 
poisons might be ‘flush, drain, and refill.’ 
“First Aid Care— 
“1. Flush by giving a quantity (4 to 7 glasses) of liquid to dilute 
the poison. Soapsuds, warm salt water, warm soda water, or plain 
warm water may be used. Milk may be given for corrosive poisons 
(lye, cresol). 
