Page 38 
THE GLADIOLUS FANCIER’S 
ROTOTOX 
The Penetrol spray made with Rotenone, 
containing also Ethylene Dichloride, in fact a 
full 90% of active ingredients. 
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 root) 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 
suspension, 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 preventively 
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. 
The Rototox Co. has an excellent 20 page 
booklet containing much valuable insecticide 
information for all branches of horticulture. 
Free on request to them. 
We do not stock Rototox. You can get 
what vou 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; ^ gal., $5.00; 1 gal., 
$10.00; 5 gal. $45.00. 
At the strong concentration for bad infesta¬ 
tions, 1-200, 1 ga,^. will make 192 gallons of 
spray. At suggested preventive concentra¬ 
tion, 1-400, 1 gal. will make 384 gallons of 
spray. (About 5c or 23^c per gal., depending 
on concentration needed.) 
“/ wanted to tell you that my asters were in a sad 
state, the leaves curling up and withering, and I sprayed 
them 3 times with Rototox mixture the same as I use for 
glads and they are now good healthy looking plants. Last 
year my hollyhocks were covered with rust. So this year 
I started spraying with Rototox when they were very 
small and each plant is clean and healthy. I am more 
than pleased with the results.” 7-17-’39. Mrs. E.H.S., 
York Harbor, Me, and Philadelphia, Pa. 
“ Have been using Rototox now for three years. Found 
it very good.” 4-3-’39. L.S., Miamisburg, Ohio. 
"Used Rototox on ten thousand glads and had fine 
results.” ll-2-’39. W.C., Schenectady, N. Y. 
“I have used Rototox as a spray for three years and 
can truthfully recommend it to my friends. Thank you 
for recommending it to me.” 2-20-’39. Cleve¬ 
land, Ohio. 
“/ have been using Rototox for some years and it has 
proven very satisfactory in every way, especially for the 
control of thrips on Glads. Glad thrips are no longer a 
menace as I spray my Glads 2 or 3 times and forget 
about the thrips. I soaked my Glads in Rototox this 
spring and I note that they came up much quicker than 
when soaked in bi-chloride and seem to be much healthier 
looking.” 6-27-’39. E.S.H., Lisbon, Ohio. 
"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, grasshoppers, aster beetles and leaf hoppers alike." 
11-10-37. H. E. C., Oronoque, Conn. 
"1 have been fighting thrips and other insects on my 
roses for years 1 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 
blcnvn 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. 
"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 through 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 Agricultural Normal Institute. 
Madison, College, Tenn. 
