Plant Diseases and Insects. 



61 



young trees containing 200,000, two-thirds of which were 

 budded stocks, was sprayed twice at a total cost of $8, and 

 two other blocks, containing 150,000 and 40,000 seedlings 

 respectively, were sprayed six times at a cost of $22.80. 



Many growers assert that the cost of applying fungicides 

 and insecticides, even though it is slight, cannot be afforded at 

 th6 present returns for products. But growers always find that 

 it pays to save their crops. In fact, thoughtful cultivators are 

 aware that increased profits usually accrue to those who suc- 

 ceed in the face of obstacles that are widespread. This is due 

 to the fact that the masses fail, and competition is lessened. It 

 is unquestionably true that there would be no profits in fruits 

 and vegetables, or in any produce, in fact, if every one could 

 grow them with ease. In this constant warfare in the interest 

 of his crops, the intelligent and vigilant cultivator has great ad- 

 vantage. And much satisfaction in tilling the soil comes when 

 the farmer learns this simple philosophy, that all obstacles are 

 prime factors in his education and are usually directly profita- 

 ble to him who overcomes. Weeds have taught the use of the 

 plow and hoe. Even Virgil knew and taught this philosophy : 



" The father of humankind himself ordains 



The husbandman should tread no path of flowers, 

 But waken the earth with sleepless pains. 



So pricketh he these indolent hearts of ours, 

 Lest his realms be in hopeless torpor held. 



* * All these things he did 



That man himself, by pondering, might divine 



All mysteries, and in due time conceive 



The varying arts whereby we have leave to live." 



2. Economic Entomology. 



Great strides are making in economic entomology. The 

 natural histories of insects in their relations to requirements 

 of cultivators, and the application of insecticides upon a large 

 and profitable scale, are coming to be well understood. In 

 fact, we have now reached an epoch when despair does not 

 seize the cultivator if some new and dreaded depredator at- 

 tacks our crops. Increased vigilance and determination, 

 rather than abandonment, result from such attacks. The em- 

 ployment of arsenical sprays is no doubt destined to revolu- 



