For all insects which work upon the foliage either eating or folding the
leaves, pour sufficient water over three pounds powdered arsenate of
lead to make a paste and continue adding water until it becomes a creamy
solution. Pour this into fifty gallons of water and mix thoroughly
before spraying. For small gardens use at the rate of one ounce of the
powdered arsenate of lead to each gallon of water.
For rust or leaf-spot which may be detected by reddish, rusty-looking
spots which destroy the leaf cells, use Bordeaux mixture made as
follows:
Suspend a coarsely woven sack containing four pounds blue vitriol into
twenty-five gallons of water so that the vitriol in the sack will float
on the surface of the water. Put four pounds lump or hydrated lime into
a bucket and pour over it hot water, stirring until you have three
gallons of creamy mixture. Pour this into twelve gallons of water, then
combine this lime solution with the vitriol solution and the result is a
Bordeaux mixture known as 4-4-40 solution. Mix thoroughly before
spraying. This is a preventive rather than a cure and should be used at
the first appearance of any leaf-spot.
The presence of black ants indicates that aphides or root lice are
working upon the roots. Repeated cultivation and hoeing are the best
remedies.
White grubs which eat off the roots of plants causing them to wilt and
die can be destroyed only by digging about the roots of the wilted
plants and killing the grub. While this may not always save the affected
plant, it will prevent the grub from doing further damage. Late fall
plowing is the best preventive against root lice, white grubs, and all
other underground insects.
For mildew which causes the leaves to cup or curl and the leaf-stems to
become dark, use lime-sulphur at the rate of three gallons to sufficient
water to make fifty gallons. The lime-sulphur can be obtained from any
manufacturer of spray materials. It is put up in small cans and fifty
gallon barrels, and as it deteriorates with age or by freezing, enough
for one season only should be purchased when ordering.
For smaller areas, prepare at the above rate in amounts determined by
the area you have to spray.
These remedies may be applied with small hand-spray machines or large
power sprayers.
(NOTE: Avoid spraying when plants are in blossom or while berries are
ripening.)
Kellogg Pedigree Plants are sprayed frequently throughout the entire
growing season to insure absolute freedom from all insects and plant
diseases. Our plant fields are kept free from contamination of this
nature and every shipment which leaves our farm is likewise free from
insects and disease. We are giving the foregoing instructions for
spraying simply that you may be familiar with the proper course to
follow should any pest find its way into your field after plants are
set.
[Illustration: Strawberries, properly packed like those illustrated
above, sell at sight and at profitable prices.]
Kellogg Pedigree Plants themselves furnish as strong insurance as can be
had against the possibility of having to spray either for insects or
diseases.