CONTROL OF INSECTS AND DISEASE 
Each year the necessity for spraying- for in¬ 
sects and diseases which do damage to trees and 
plants becomes more apparent, and while it is not 
always possible for the home owner to identify 
certain insects and diseases, there are many which 
are very common and which are easily controlled. 
Where identification is not possible, samples may 
be sent to the Extension Department of A. & M. 
College, College Station, Texas, where dependable 
advice will be gladly given. Many of the more 
common insects and diseases, as above suggested, 
may be easily controlled by the home planter if 
he will take the trouble to equip himself with 
simple spray pumps and common insecticides for 
spraying, and with a few simple tools which will 
enable him to do proper pruning. This equip¬ 
ment and material may be purchased from your 
home merchants or may be ordered from various 
dependable sources. 
Insects are usually divided into two classes, the 
“biting and chewing” and the “sucking” insects. 
The first may be controlled with poison when 
it is possible to so spray that the poison will be 
eaten, while the other can be controlled by what 
is termed contact sprays. The “tent caterpillar” 
which is one of the worst insects that attack 
coniferous evergreens, is a good example of the 
“sucking” insects. 
Diseases are usually caused by a fungus growth 
and are controlled by sprays known as fungicides. 
A few of the diseases, such as blight in pear, 
etc., are caused by bacteria, and where such 
diseases occur, one of the best remedies is to 
cut away the infected pai-ts, destroying the 
prunings by burning. 
There are, therefore, two general classes of 
sprays, insecticides and fungicides, the insecti¬ 
cides being divided into two classes known as 
poison and contact insecticides. Arsenate of Lead 
is a good example of the poison insecticide, while 
Lime Sulphur Solution is a good example of the 
contact insecticide, while Bordeaux mixture is 
the old stand-by as a fungicide. 
SPRAY FORMULAS 
ARSENATE OF LEAD—One of the most com¬ 
mon and most valuable poison sprays, may be 
prepared at home, using either powder or paste, 
it being easily procured in either form. Use 
at the rate of 2% pounds of the paste or 2 
pounds of the powder to 50 gallons of water. 
Use for the control of flea beetle on grape, 
caterpillar on pecan, biting and chewing insects 
on shade trees, shrubs, etc., and for tent cater¬ 
pillar on evergreens. Also, use as spray for 
curculio and codling moth on fruit trees. 
NICOTINE SOLUTION—This may be bought in 
concentrated form at almost any drug store, 
usually under the name of “Black Leaf 40”. In 
large quantities, use approximately % pint to 
100 gallons of water, or in small quantities, 
use about 1 ounce to 8 gallons of water. In 
making the spray mix the nicotine with very 
heavy suds, using lye soap or strong laundry 
soap for the suds, as this will cause the spray 
to adhere and spread much better. This is very 
easily prepared at home and is an excellent 
spray for control of aphis on plum, roses, etc., 
and for use in ridding plants of red spider. 
LIME SULPHUR SOLUTION—One of the most 
important contact sprays we have, being one 
of the most effective for treating for San Jose 
scale while trees are dormant. If commercial 
Lime Sulphur is used, it should be used 2 
pounds to 8 or 10 gallons of water for the win¬ 
ter spraying, while for summer the dilution 
should be approximately 1 pound to 8 or 10 
gallons of water. This spray is excellent for 
use while trees are dormant as it helps to keep 
them in healthy state and is particularly ben¬ 
eficial in the control of scale. 
BORDEAUX MIXTURE—This is easily secured 
in prepai-ed form at almost any drug store, and 
usually directions for preparation and dilution 
are given. This is particularly useful in con¬ 
trol of mildew and all fungus diseases, such 
as brown rot on peach and apple, black rot in 
grape, or mildew on roses, etc. 
All of these sprays may be used by the home 
owner, applying with large sprayer in orchard 
or vineyard where necessary, or knapsack spi-ay- 
er for use where only a few trees need treatment, 
or even a small hand sprayer for use on small 
plants around the house. A small investment in 
equipment and materials may mean many dollars 
to you in your orchard or beauty to you in your 
home grounds. 
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