
CONTROLLING INSECTS, WORMS AND 
RODENTS 
% Good gardening consists not only of proper tillage, irriga- 
tion and care of the plants but also in Sombatine basics 
pests that will destroy or injure the crop. Both dusting and 
spraying are effective. In the western part of the United 
States, tremendous acreages of vegetables are grown and mar- 
keted in carload lots. Experiments have shown that dust is 
much more quickly and easily applied, in fact, some of the 
larger growers uSe airplanes for this purpose. These fly low 
over the ground and the blast from the propellor blows the 
insecticide evenly over the crops. 
On page 89 you will find dust guns listed and described and 
on page 88 dust insecticides. Select the type and size of dust 
gun suited to your requirements. Use Aphicide as a dust, do 
not mix with water, apply as it comes from the package. 
Adjust the duster properly and blow the Aphicide with suffi- 
cient force to form a smoky dust that will thoroughly coat 
all parts of the plant. Results obtained depend largely on the 
thoroughness of application. 
CONTROLLING INSECTS ON VINE CROPS 
STRIPED CUCUMBER BEETLES. These insects often ap- 
pear as soon as the plants come up. They are not only very 
destructive at that time but their larva is the small grub or 
borer which works into the roots of the vines, more especially 
in pumpkins and squashes, but to some extent in melons. 
Dust to kill these Striped Beetles with Aphicide P-6 or 
Aphicide No. 21—See page 88. Attach the discharge of your 
duster to a funnel-shaped cone which you can set down quickly 
over the plants and blow one blast of Aphicide, then wait 
four or five seconds and a second hard blast should be suffi- 
cient to kill all the beetles on the plant or hiding under the 
plants. 
APHIS OR PLANT LICE. These very small insects often 
cause much damage. They increase very rapidly and while at 
first they remain on only a few plants and do not seem to 
spread, if not destroyed then they later may spread over the 
whole field within a few days. yy 
It is the dust and gas covering the insect’s body that kills. 
Start early in the season when the aphids first appear. Direct 
the blast upward against the underside of the leaves by means 
of the curved nozzle on the discharge pipe. Stake the infested 
plants and return the next few days and kill any insects that 
remain. Dust only where aphids are found as Aphicide No. 10 
kills only by contact. Repeat application whenever needed. 
BLACK SQUASH BUGS 
Because of the extreme difficulty of killing the Black Squash 
Bug, we suggest two dustings with Aphicide No. 15 or Aphi- 
cide P-10. The first dusting will cause the bugs to come out 
from.under the clods at the base of the plants. The repeat 
dusting which should follow the other by about one-half min- 
ute will kill a large percentage of the adult bugs. The young 
are easily killed by one thorough application. 
GRASSHOPPERS AND CUT WORMS 
We have found Sodium Fluosilicate superior to arsenate for 
use in poison bait for killing grasshoppers and cut worms. 
It kills more quickly and is much less dangerous to livestock 
and poultry. Use 1 lb. of Sodium Fluosilicate to each 10 lbs. 
of bran, mix dry thoroughly, add about 1 lb. of molasses or 
just enough to make a crumbly mixture. A few drops of -Oil 
of Anise should be added to the molasses before mixing and 
sometimes a small amount of water. For grasshoppers sow 
thinly along fence rows early in the morning. For cut worms 
scatter in the evening about the plants where the worms are 
working. 
GROUND SQUIRRELS 
Ground squirrels and other rodents often dig up seed after 
Planting. This can be prevented by treating the seed with 
coal tar. First wet the seed and then stir in thoroughly at the 
rate of one teaspoonful of coal tar to each peck of seed; dry 
and plant as usual. 
See page 90 for Specia] Prices to Market Growers 
87 
