Page 30 
THE GLADIOLUS FANCIER’S 
ROTOTOX 
The Penetrol spray made with Rotenone, 
containing also Acetone and Ethylene Di¬ 
chloride, in fact a full 90% of active ingred¬ 
ients. 
We have been investigating the value of 
the new insecticide called “Rototox” with a 
view to its substitution for all home-made, 
assembled formulas, as a complete spray ‘in 
itself for all general purposes and for gladi¬ 
olus in particular. The results are almost too 
amazing to be readily believed. Let doubters 
try it and be convinced. We have numerous 
reports that its use has been highly satisfac¬ 
tory. Perhaps you have already seen the 
article by Dr. Roark, of the Dept, of Agricul¬ 
ture, who considers Rotenone (derived from 
derris or cube r,oot) one of the most effective 
insecticides available, being fifteen times as 
effective as nicotine and thirty times as 
effective as arsenate of lead. 
Rototox, while so deadly to insects, is 
non-poisonous and perfectly harmless to 
humans, animals and plants and fruit and 
vegetables sprayed with Rototox may be 
eaten with perfect safety within 24 hrs. after 
spraying. The Rotenone acts as a stomach 
poison to insects as long as it remains on the 
plant, in addition to being a contact insecti¬ 
cide. Penetrol (oxidized petroleum hydro¬ 
carbon, sulfonated) is a carrier, spreader 
and activator. It is neither acid nor alkaline 
nor caustic, so the rotenone is held in perfect 
suspensipn, without precipitation or disin¬ 
tegration, thus making no disfiguring sedi¬ 
ment to mar or injure the most delicate foli¬ 
age or petals. Therefore, no need of segregat¬ 
ing early and late varieties. It causes the for¬ 
mula to emulsify as readily and completely 
in cold, hard water as in warm, soft water. 
It does not have to be kept agitated and it 
cannot clog the spray nozzle. These are the 
reasons why Penetrol is known as the best 
spreader for carrying the formula into the 
crevices of the plant, an extremely desirable 
feature for the control of thrips. 
Rototox contains Ethylene dichloride, 
which has, for many years been used by many 
large growers for gassing their bulbs in storage 
quarters. This ingredient is valuable be¬ 
cause it reaches many insects not contacted 
and portions of the plant not fully covered 
by the spray. 
At Century of Progress grounds, 1934, there 
was planted four large plots of beds of gladi¬ 
olus by about 20 growers. (We participated). 
Laid end to end there were 6 miles of rows of 
gladiolus. Rototox was used preventatively 
on all these beds with very satisfactory 
results. 
Rototox has already become popular for 
greenhouse use and is cheap enough for use 
on large acreages of gladiolus, dahlias, per¬ 
ennials, evergreens, truck crops, etc. 
Many growers, wishing to avoid the week or 
so delay in blooming period likely when 
soaking their bulbs in corrosive sublimate 
solution, are now soaking them for 26 hrs. 
in any container in 1-200 dilution of Rototox, 
just before planting, apparently with very 
satisfactory results. 
We do not stock Rototox. You can get 
what you need promptly (much quicker than 
by asking us to relay your order), postage pre¬ 
paid, from 
The Rototox Co., 
81 East Yale St., 
East Williston, N. Y. 
Their prepaid prices (no doubt subject to 
change) are: 1 oz.. 35c; 8 oz., $1.00; 1 pint, 
$1.75; 1 quart, $3.00; Yz gal., $5.00; 1 gal., 
$10.00; 5 gal. $45.00. 
At the strong concentration for bad infesta¬ 
tions, 1-200, 1 gal. will make 192 gallons of 
spray. At suggested preventative concentra¬ 
tion, 1-400, 1 gal. will make 384 gallons of 
spray. (About 5c or 23^c per gal., depending 
on concentration needed.) 
“ Used Rototox on about 1500 glads, 400 dahlias and 
2000 asters once a week at 1-800. Perfect results on the 
glads and almost the same on the other plants, controlling 
thrips, grashoppers, aster beetles and leaf hoppers alike.” 
11-10-37. H. E. C., Oronoque, Conn. 
"Rototox was just fine. About one fourth acre of glads 
badly infested before I knew it. Used 1-200 dilution, 
sprayed four times. In the spring of '37 I soaked all the 
bulbs with Rototox for about 24 hours. We got about 98% 
control and had the cleanest crop of bulbs I ever had.” 
11-1-37. M. B. Y., Greenwood, Delaware 
"I have been fighting thrips and other insects on my 
roses for years I have secured better control with ROTO¬ 
TOX than with a dozen other insecticides. I spray 1-200 
twice, 24 hours, apart. No more thrips until more are 
blown in. This may be 3 days or as many weeks. 
I have no objection to your quoting me. You have a 
product that is very good. I would be glad for others to 
receive the benefit from it.” 11-23- 37. Mr. Clapp, State 
of Texas Park Board. 
“My 185 cyclamen plants were badly attacked with the 
Cyclamen mites, as usual. I used ROTOTOX with excel¬ 
lent, most gratifying results.” 6-23- 37. Thos. A. Inch, 
Hartford, Conn. 
"Used Rototox on 1200 gladiolus. Obtained 100% 
control.” 9-6-37. J.E., Hammond, Ind. 
"I used ROTOTOX on about 10,000 gladiolus as a 
means of getting rid of thrips. It proves very successful in 
this. In fact, I will consider it the equal if not the superior 
of any other treatment we have ever used for that purpose. 
Found it effective also against silver fish and cock roaches^ 
also as a fly and mosquito killer. I have taken occasion 
to recommend Rototox t’nrough my newspaper syndicate 
and have recommended it perhaps a dozen times before 
various garden clubs where I have lectured. Will use as 
dip when bulbs are dug.” 9-29- 37. (Dr.) Floyd Bralliar, 
Dean Nashville Agricultura Normall Institute. 
Madison, College, Tenn. 
"Wonderful results using Rototox on about 3500 glads. 
Sprayed regularly every 2 weeks. Complete control and 
nad the best glads have grown to date.” 11-4-37. R. B. 
H., Winnipeg, Man. 
"Rototox was great. 100% control on 1500 glads and 
I found it far better than nicotine on Nasturtium for 
aphis.” 10-3-37. A. H. D., Ferndale, Mich. 
" Used Rototox 1-400 on about 20,000 glads, every 10 
days. Results very satisfactory. Used on lilies and roses, 
same results.” 9-1-37. Mrs. R. C. C., New Castle, Pa. 
