killers that they have long been believed to be. As for myself, I discontinued the use 
of naphthalene flakes years ago because I found their use entirely impracticable for my 
needs. With thousands of lots of seedlings I found it quite impossible to remove the flakes 
after the prescribed 4 weeks period, and since the flakes were left on the bulbs until 
planting time, the result was very material damage to all stock that had been long exposed 
to the action of the naphthalene fumes, ranging from long delayed germination and dis- 
torted growth of those that did finally grow, to actual killing of many bulbs. So it was 
up to me to find some other method, one that would be effective and that would not 
harm the bulbs, even if allowed to remain on the stock until planting time. 
I solved the problem by the use of a rotenone dust during the winter storage treatment. 
This method is easy to use and appears to be completely effective in destroying all thrips 
and their eggs. When using the dust I simply drop it into the bag containing the stock, 
fold over the top of the bag, and shake the bag around so as to spread the dust thoroughly 
over all bulbs - and then forget all about it until planting time. The amount of powder 
to be used is not of very great importance, so long as enough is used - I would much 
rather use too much than not enough since even in large amount it seems to be absolutely 
harmless. I might mention that it has happened in a few instances that a few bulbs were 
overlooked at planting time, to be discovered later in the season - too late to be planted 
that season -, so they were held over until the following year with the rotenone dust still 
on them. Planted the second year, those bulbs grew well, without any signs of having 
been harmed in the least by their long contact with the dust. 
In my own work I have used a dust containing derris and cube derivatives, which 
is manufactured by the Agicide Company, formerly of Milwaukee, Wis., but recently 
removed to a new location - Kenosha, Wis., I believe. The product that I have been 
using is their Agicide Dust Concentrate. 
If you have any stock that, for some reason or other, has escaped treatment during 
the winter storage treatment - and this applies likewise to all stock obtained from outside 
sources - you can still ensure that the thrips on it have been destroyed if you use one of 
the several effective dips prior to planting. These dips are usually employed just prior 
to planting and the bulbs are planted, still wet with the dip. Probably the most generally 
used dipping solution is prepared by adding one tablespoon of Lysol to each gallon of 
water used and soaking the bulbs in this solution for from 6 to 8 hours, then allowing 
the stock to drain for 20-30 minutes, and planting it, still wet. Various other insect poisons 
are used, such as Semesan, New Improved Ceresan, etc., and instructions for their proper 
employment will be found in various flower magazines and on the instruction sheets 
that come with the product. Corrosive sublimate and calomel have also been long used 
and are probably effective. 
