Delphinium Pests 
The clean garden discourages many enemies, especially the 
bacterial ones. Decaying litter provides them a good home. 
Avoid fresh manure near plants as you would the pestilence. 
And use any high-powered fertilizer with extreme caution. It 
is safer to stick to the plain old-fashioned foods that we all 
know how to deal with. 
Before the Delphiniums start growth in spring a lime-sulphur 
soaking of the soil, at the orchard strength of ten to one, is an 
excellent precautionary measure. 
In some sections there are spasmodic attacks of the so-called 
“Blight” or ‘Blacks’; technically it is known as ‘“cyclamen- 
mite.’ It produces distortion and blackening of the growing 
plant. As the roots may not be affected, the plant should be cut 
to the ground and burned. A weekly spray of ‘‘Rototox’’* should 
keep it in check. Our Oregon stock is free from this pest. 
If there is a tendency to mildew or black-spot, adding Black- 
leaf 40 to the lime-sulphur at the rate of one tablespoon to 
three gallons of water, is recommended. Fortunately, Hood- 
acres is quite free from these disturbances. 
Slugs will sometimes leave home merely by the use of 
sharp sand strewn over the ground, but more persistent breeds 
may need copper sulphate crystals crushed fine and scattered 
where they raid. This is very poisonous and must be handled 
accordingly. 
California Conditions 
Glendale, Calif. “The seeds received last fall were planted, 
against your advice, late in October, and wintered outdoors. 
They gave splendid results in spite of most adverse conditions. 
Are in bloom now—gorgeous colors and sizes.” 
—Rototox Company, East Williston, N. Y. 
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