THRIPS CONTROL MADE EASY 
Control of thrips is now very deiinitely a matter of record. 
In fact one brief sentence tells the story—start the season 
with clean bulbs, then either plant early, or spray regu- 
larly, or both. 
PLANT EARLY 
December and January are the safest months in southern Cali- 
fornia; January and February in central California; and March 
in most other places. Migratory thrips from neighboring gardens 
are not likely to reach such early plantings in time to injure the 
blooms. The damage is not from the first few thrips, but from the 
thousands of offspring that develop after several weeks of breed- 
ing. 
START SPRAYING EARLY 
Early plantings should give uninjured blooms; regular spraying, 
started while the plants are young, makes it almost certain that 
your blooms will come through in good shape. Spraying is essen- 
tial for late or for very large plantings. Start when the plants are 
two to three inches tall, and spray at least twice a week. To avoid 
spray-burning, never spray until evening during spells of warm 
weather. 
TO PROTECT OR SAVE YOUR OWN BULBS 
If you have had thrips, you do not need to throw your bulbs oe 
away. Dig them while the stalks are still a little green (about 
five weeks after blooming), and cut off and burn ALL the old 
stalks just before digging. Keep the bulbs away from other in- 
fested plantings while curing. When thoroughly cured, store them. 
Sprinkle one pound of napthalene flakes among each thousand 
bulbs. Small quantities of bulbs should be placed in a small bag, 
which, in turn, should be placed (open at the top) in a large bag 
containing a few napthalene flakes. This is to keep the bulbs from 
direct contact with the napthalene; where the quantity of bulbs 
is larger, other means should be taken to accomplish the same 
result. Not more than twenty-four hours before planting, peel the 
bulbs and dip them in 120° hot water for about two minutes. 
(About as hot as the average person can stand with his hand 
fully immersed.) 
NOTE: The bulbs we supply have been fully protected by fumi- 
gation, and need not be treated unless stored with your other 
bulbs after leaving our sheds. 
SPRAYS 
We recommend Tartar Emetic as one of the most effective 
sprays. Tartar Emetic can be had through your local druggist. 
Use 1! teaspoons of Tartar Emetic and 1/, cup Karo Syrup to 
one gallon of water. Spray twice a week from the time the plants 
are 4 or 5 inches high until blooming time. Bear in mind that 
spraying is done to keep down stray thrips in the early stages 
of growth and it will do good after your plants become heavily 
infested. You can always save choice spikes even if infested, by 
giving them a daily “massaging” while the spike is in bud. This = | 2 
crushes and kills the thrips that are hidden in the sheaf, and 2 : — 
these are the thrips that injure the blooms. 

PICARDY 

10 e Carl Saalbach - 
