stock is grown in isolated plantings and by treatment with corrosive sublimate 
(mercuric chloride) at planting time, we have been able to eradicate this trouble¬ 
some pest. This gives the bulb a coating that wards off various bulb diseases and 
fungus attacks. Your glads may become infested from neighboring plantings, and 
we recommend preventative spraying to insure undamaged blooms unless your gar¬ 
den is well isolated from other plantings. 
The recommended spray formula is as follows: 
1 tablespoon Paris Green 
2 lbs. brown sugar 
3 gallons water. 
In order to avoid burning of the foliage, it is recommended substituting 3 ounces 
acid lead arsenate for the Paris Green or two tablespoons magnesium arsenate. The 
latter however is considered not quite so effective. These sprays must be kept con¬ 
stantly agitated while spraying. If your bulbs are treated properly with corrosive 
sublimate just before planting, thereby avoiding an early infestation of this pest, 
it is likely your blooms will mature before much damage is done by thrip coming 
from neighboring plantings. However, spraying is worthwhile to prevent damage 
from other troublesome insect pests. 
The approved corrosive sublimate treatment is as follows: Dissolve 1 ounce of 
the powder first in small amount of warm water, then pour into 7 gallons of water, 
preferably above 60 degrees. Cold water may render the treatment ineffective. 
The solution must be used in a non-metal container, such as a crock, wooden pail, 
or glass. We find 10-gallon crocks ideal for this purpose. Varieties may be kept 
separate in cloth bags; old sugar bags will do for small quantities or bags made of 
cheesecloth for larger quantities. In order to keep varieties properly labeled, we 
simply write the variety name on cardboard strip with weatherproof pencil and put 
it inside of bag before tying the latter. Ordinary lead pencil will do just as well. 
Be sure that bags are completely immersed. Soak 12 to 17 hours, preferably at night 
before planting. Makes no difference if bulbs are planted wet or dry, but we prefer 
planting as soon as possible after bulbs are taken from solution. This solution is 
safe to the hands, but is a deadly poison and must be used and disposed of with 
care. 
This treatment is so inexpensive and requires so little effort that everyone should 
use it, regardless of whether the planting is a few dozen or a few thousand bulbs. 
If your glads become infested during the season, cut the tops off at digging time 
and burn them. Then as soon as your bulbs are fairly well dried, treat them with 
naphthalene flakes, 1 ounce (4 level tablespoons) sprinkled on each 100 large bulbs 
or equivalent in bulk of smaller sizes, in closed bottom containers. Containers should 
be closed but not completely airtight. Closed paper bags are safe for a few weeks 
if the bulbs are dry as some moisture can escape. After four to six weeks, shake out 
any unevaporated flakes in order to avoid damage to root knobs and eye sprouts 
when they appear in the spring. 
The naphthalene treatment is to avoid thrip damage to bulbs in storage. Our ex¬ 
perience indicates that it is not completely effective and bulbs should be treated with 
corrosive sublimate before planting regardless of the fact that they were treated with 
naphthalene in storage. 
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