GUIDEBOOK FOR 1948 
Page 31 
(a a aE ee ee 
Da ay 
(by H. O. E.) 
From accumulated data and our own ex- 
perience we can talk straight from our own 
shoulder this year. 
We are through with NAPTHALENE 
FLAKES for gassing bulbs in storage... . 
through with TARTAR EMETIC and its 
necessary ‘‘sweets’’ accompaniment for plant 
spray .. . through with CORROSIVE SUB- 
LIMATE (bichloride of mercury) bulb soak- 
ing as a prerequisite to planting, using it only 
where a particular batch of bulbs show some 
definite signs of some disease to be corrected. 
Last year’s alleged necessary precautions 
against human poisoning by D. D. T. were 
undoubtedly overdone, pending more experi- 
ence. But we still suggest you do not inhale 
any mist and to wash hands after handling 
bulbs covered with D. D. T. dust. And that 
you avoid D. D. T. combinations with oil 
solutions or oil emulsion base. 
For dusting bulbs in storage. The sooner 
the better after dug and roots relatively dry. 
If not dry in a week it is not nearly so im- 
portant as getting the bulbs dusted promptly 
to prevent thrips from crawling down the 
short stem to the crown of the bulb where 
dust may never penetrate. D. D. T. does 
not gas them like napthalene flakes. Use 
and D. D. T. dry dusting powder 1 to 3 per 
cent strength is enough . . . over 5 per cent 
a sheer waste of money and increase of pos- 
sible human hazard by inhalation. 
We think the dry dusting powder is better 
than the wettable dust as it shakes onto the 
bulbs more freely and formulas of 5 per cent 
and less are much more readily obtainable. 
1 ounce onto 40 pound (a bushel) of bulbs 
is enough if well distributed. After rooting 
the process should be repeated. If at rooting 
time a stray bulb is found on which there are 
found some brown thrips feeding areas, just 
strip down from the cut stem a segment of 
husk exposing perhaps a fourth of the top of 
the bulb to make sure that any stray thrips 
cooped up in there will be reached by the 
dust. If the dust offered to you has some 
sulphur or rotenone or pyrethum added do 
not object as any of these may be beneficial 
preventives beyond and apart from the 
capabilities of the D. D. T. Fermate is also 
a desirable addition. 
The dust is cheap, so if you buy in some 
bulbs take no chances. Give thema D. D.T. 
dusting on arrival, preferably at least 20 days 
before planting to assure getting any possible 
egg to larvae to insect cycle. 
Do not waste any time trying to remove 
the dust from the bulbs. D. D. T. and the 
other possible ingredients mentioned will not 
harm starting roots and sprouts and some 
preventive action of benefit may accrue to 
the dust treated bulb in the soil. 
In the field do your own choosing as to 
spraying or dusting. In any event begin 
when the plants are about 8 inches tall and 
repeat about every 10 days or so until plants 
begin to bloom. After this preventive work 
would suggest no further effort except for 
noticeable cause. If you like clean foliage 
with your cut spikes, we would mention that 
dust is the more likely to make marring 
deposits on the foliage. 
If you dust your plants, 3 to 5 per cent of 
D. D. T. dusting powder is strong enough. 
If again you are offered a dust that includes 
sulphur or rotenone or pyrethum or fermate, 
any of these may be beneficial in certain con- 
ditions not controlled by D. D. T., such as 
aphids, fungus, etc. 
If you use D. D. T. liquid spray, the wet- 
table powder form is much safer (to you) 
than the liquid forms offered unless the label 
on the liquid clearly states that it carries no 
oil or oil emulsion base. Use either the wet- 
table powder or liquid spray at the formula 
rate suggested on the label. If several 
strengths are suggested for various kinds of 
plants or pests, adopt the strongest formula. 
NEW IMPROVED CERESAN 
As developed by D. B. Creager, formerly 
Research Plant Pathologist at Urbana, Ill. 
(and sec’y the Ill. Gladiolus Soc.), now sta- 
tioned at the Gladiolus Research Laboratory, 
Terra Ceia, Fla., to further study gladiolus 
bulb and plant diseases. After four year tests 
with thousands of bulbs and in conjunction 
with tests by Michigan groups. 
These tests seem to indicate that it cleared 
off bulb diseases about 15 per cent better than 
did corrosive sublimate and without bloom 
delay and that in respect to bulblets, whereas 
corrosive sublimate reduced the production 
of healthy bulbs the new improved ceresan 
increased it about 100 per cent. 
Formula in small amount: 1 oz. new im- 
proved ceresan, 3 teaspoon DuPont Spreader- 
Sticker, 3 gal. water. In larger amount, 44 
lb., 5 tablespoon, 25 gal., respectively. 
Mix the ceresan and spreader wetting agent 
first with paddle, avoiding hand contact while 
in this dangerous, concentrated form. Then 
add the water while stirring. 
Soak BULBS in thin cloth bags 15 minutes 
but not longer than 30 minutes, stirring oc- 
casionally. Soak BULBLETS 30 minutes. 
Plant same day treated else wash out in 
