CHAPTER XXIX

SOME SPRAYS FOR GARDEN PESTS

“REALLY, there is some truth in that,” said Billy. “I’m not certain that I can remember much about the subject; but, since you are so anxious to learn, my children, I’ll refer to my trusty note book, and read to you about—

GARDEN PESTS

If we examine the various insects which injure plants, we find they do the harm in two different ways, according to their method of feeding. The different methods of feeding are by—

(_a_) biting; or, (_b_) sucking.

_Biting insects_ have _mandibles_, or jaws.

The biting insects most familiar to you are beetles, grasshoppers, and many “worms,” or larvæ.

If you catch a grasshopper, and hold a blade of grass in an upright position close to its mouth, you will observe that the jaws do not move up and down, but sidewise. This is true of all insects.

It is quite easy to see the holes in leaves, bark, flowers or fruit where biting insects have been feasting.

_Sucking insects_, instead of jaws, have a _haustellum_ or proboscis, which is a sucking tube, or beak, somewhat like a sharp hollow bristle.

This they use to thrust down through outer layers of bark or leaves into the inner tissues where they draw up the sap or lifeblood of the plant.

Among the sucking insects are aphids and scale insects.

Now, it is an easy matter to throw poison on the parts of the plants that biting insects devour, where they will eat and swallow it, and then die; but it is almost impossible to place poison in the inner portions of the plants where sucking insects feed.

Fortunately, most sucking insects have soft bodies which are easily destroyed; but it is a rather difficult task to do this work of destruction of sucking insects, because every insect must be touched by the destroying material to smother it, or destroy its breathing pores. Every farmer is familiar with some insecticides, or insect poisons.

The trouble with using poisons, however, is that most poisons which will kill insects will also kill people, so it is better for young gardeners to use remedies harmless to human beings, but deadly to insects, of which there are a few.[H]

Insecticides or insect poisons are applied to plants in two ways: by—

(_a_) dusting with powder; or, (_b_) spraying with a liquid.

A “sulphur gun” is a great help in applying powder; although an old can with holes in the top may be used as a sprinkler.

Liquid sprays may be applied with a patent “sprayer,” which may be purchased from any seed house; or with a whisk broom.

It is absolutely essential to reach the _under_ sides of the leaves in applying insect destroyers.

Among the best insecticides which are non-poisonous to human beings is Hellebore.

Following is a list of remedies for insects oftenest found in gardens.

HELLEBORE

{For spraying: use two tablespoons Hellebore to a gallon {(four quarts) of water. { {For dusting: mix two tablespoons Hellebore with fifteen Remedies {tablespoons flour. Keep in a closely covered can. After for {a day or two this flour may be sprinkled on the upper Biting {and under sides of the leaves. This is best done while Insects {the dew is upon them. The use of the flour is simply {for the sake of economy. { {Wood ashes and also insect powder discourage cabbage {worms.

{For dusting: insect powder, snuff, sulphur, tobacco dust. {Tobacco stems (laid on the ground) will discourage them. { Remedies {For spraying: Dissolve 1 lb. caustic Whale Oil Soap in for {½ gallon (2 quarts) hot water. Mix one cup of this mixture Sucking {with five cups of water for plant lice, etc. Insects { {Hot Water for Aphids or Plant Lice. Hold the branch {under water at a temperature of about 125°, or as hot as {possible to hold the hand under.

Fungi of various kinds attack plants. Mildew is a form of fungi.

{Dust the plant well with Flowers of Sulphur. For { Fungi— {Bordeaux Arsenate of Lead is used as a spray in early Mildew {Spring, to prevent fungi, but it is deadly poison and {should not be used by children.

For {Severe poisons are generally used, the fumes of which Insects {kill the insects. Tobacco tea, made by boiling a pound that Feed {of tobacco stems in a gallon of water, or Ivory Under {soapsuds, if thrown on the ground, will discourage Ground {these insects.

For Cutworms, {Poison Baits are used: that is, bran or grass is and Insects {sprinkled with sweetened poison. (NOTE: It is Feeding on {better for children to use the precaution of paper the Surface {collars as already explained to Mary Frances in the of the Ground {talk on the Cutworm.)

There are also many excellent remedies sold by seed firms under commercial or “patent” names.

“Well, Billy,” cried Eleanor, “if I remember one-tenth of the lesson, I’ll be satisfied!”

“And I, too!” echoed Mary Frances.

“If I’d thought,” continued Eleanor, “you were such a wiseacre, Mr. Professor Billy, I’d have brought a note book.”

“Oh, you girls can see my notes any time,” said Billy, pleased with their compliments.

“What I didn’t like, Billy, was the constant reference to ‘children,’” Mary Frances went on.

“Now, little girls,” began Billy, “that is just for ‘Safety First.’ When you are a little older and more experienced in gardening——”

“Oh, Billy, if you tease, you’ll spoil everything!” declared Mary Frances. “Do keep your old poison secrets. I don’t like the idea of killing bugs even.”

“Nor the fellow ‘who needlessly puts his foot upon a worm,’” quoted Billy. “I bet Bob would rather like that lesson, even if you and Eleanor didn’t.”

“I’m going to write down what I can remember for Bob,” declared Eleanor. “May I use your desk, Mary Frances?”

“Nothing could please me better,” answered her friend, leading the way through the play house door.

FOOTNOTE:

[H] The small amount of arsenical poisons used by market gardeners and farmers is not dangerous unless the plant is used immediately after their application. The danger lies in having such poisons within reach of children.