INSECTICIDES are the chemicals used to 
control insects. However, the home gardener 
cannot afford to stock all kinds. Only those 
necessary to give practical control of the 
most common insects are recommended in 
this guide. When in doubt about the mixture 
to use, follow directions on the package. 
Rotenone and pyrethrum are _ excellent 
garden insecticides, but the supply, espe- 
cially of pyrethrum, is limited. These ma- 
terials, if available, should be restricted to 
use on vegetables, at the time the edible 
paris are forming, for insects that cannot be 
controlled by other measures. 
The following insecticides are poison- 
ous to human beings as well as to 
insects. Caution should be taken in 
storing and handling them. 
Cryolite gives good control for many 
chewing insects, and the national supply is 
expected to be adequate. Local supplies 
will depend on local dealers. Do not use 
cryolite on leafy vegetables, or on the 
exposed parts of vegetables such as tomato 
fruits, cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli 
heads, or on string (snap) beans. 
Nicotine sulfate, used to control a number 
of insects, especially plant lice, is expected 
to be available in quantity sufficient to 
meet the demand by Victory gardeners. 
Nicotine dusts and sprays mixed for use 
must be kept sealed tightly, because they 
lose their strength rapidly. To give best 
results, nicotine dusts or sprays must be 
directed to hit the insecis and used when the 
air is calm and warm. 
Arsenicals, such as calcium: arsenate 
and paris green, are sometimes used to 
protect garden vegetables, but in some 
areas they cause injury to more tender 
plants. Such insecticides should not be 
used on the edible part of the plant. 
Naphthalene has a limited use for con- 
trolling pests. Its principal use is against 
wireworms. 
All mercuric compounds are poison- 
ous, and mixtures containing copper 
sulfate, which is the principal element 
in bordeaux mixtures, are more or less 
poisonous to men and animals. In 
handling and mixing these. also be care- 
ful not to breathe them or get them into 
the mouth. 
15 
