134 Report oF THE BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE 
out the State occasional fields were injured by flea beetles, but 
this trouble was by no means a general one. Taking the State 
as a whole, the loss due to flea beetles was perhaps about equal 
to that caused by early blight, while the loss from both these 
causes would not exceed that due to late blight. 
Colorado potato beetles or “ bugs,” Leptinotarsa decemlineata, 
presented no unusual features. The damages caused by them 
varied greatly in different localities and even in different fields 
in the same locality. This pest is a universal one and treatment — 
for it has become one of the regular operations of potato culture 
in New York. 
MAKING EXPERIMENTS IN 1907. 
During the season of 1907 the work on potato spraying will 
be carried forward along practically the same lines as in 1904, 
1905 and 1g06. The regular ten-year experiments at Geneva and 
Riverhead will be conducted again as usual; also, about fifteen 
farmers’ business experiments in different parts of the State. In 
addition, the Station hopes to secure again, as in the past, re- 
ports of numerous volunteer experiments — the more the better. 
Potato growers throughout the State are earnestly requested to 
make spraying experiments in 1907 and report the results to the 
Station. Whatever the outcome of the experiments, whether for 
or against spraying, the reports are desired, provided, of course, 
the experiments have been properly conducted. Upon request, 
the Station will supply blanks for making such reports. 
DIRECTIONS FOR SPRAYING.» 
In general, commence spraying when’the plants are six to 
eight inches high and repeat the treatment at intervals of 10 to 
14 days in order to keep the plants well covered with bordeaux 
throughout the season. During epidemics of blight it may be 
necessary to spray as often as once a week. Usually six applica- 
tions will be required. The bordeaux should contain four pounds 
of copper sulphate to each 50 gallons in the first two sprayings 
and six pounds to 50 gallons in subsequent sprayings. When- 

" Substantially the same as given in Bulletin 279, p. 228. The experiences 
of the past season do not warrant any material alteration in the recommenda- ~ 
tions there made. 
