HORTICULTURAL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3572, 14 September 1905, Page 4

HORTICULTURAL

FSOHTINQ INSECTS,

gome Valuable Formnlan Furnished by Pro*. Maynard. Every fruit and plant has its peculiar insect enemies and fungous diseases. Progressive farmers, gardeners and fruit growers are provided with spraying machinery for overcoming these pests, and spraying is as much routine/ work 'as is cultivation or fertilizing. For fungous pests, because of cheapness, effectiveness and lasting /}■ ‘..tics,' the bordeaux mixture has • w- -ted all other mixtures. To n.ui.c itour pounds of copper sulphate or blue vitriol are dissolved in two galIrus of hot water; or, suspended in a reck in a cask of (sold we far it .... vt> in a few hours. Cm quicklime, four pounds, is then s.nkeu slowly by adding small quantities of water until thoroughly dissolved. When

cooled, the lime wash ia poured through a fine mesh alevA into the dissolved . <'i ,- r : ;■ hate. To the mixtu: ! - 25 to 50 gallons of v Dc~ croc :dxi to fUCgOUS is prob: caused by the copper, which is held in place by the litae. Should the bordeaux mixture dijfigure'the fruit, the am* carbonate of copper should ,v..l applied often, as it washes .83 ~J: urmula: Copper carbonate three ounces, ammonia enough to dissolve the copper, water 40 gallons. Paris green and kerosene emulsion are the insecticides in most common I'” 1 , rceh effectual:y des' •• ioaf-cating insects. i. . io injure folia;

■v. Use in water, < poem. ... ~ns. If lime is or the ■reen added to the bordeaux mix.nre, use one pound to 50 gallons. For sucking insects, the kerosene emulsion is unequaled: Dissolve a half-pound of bar soap in two gallons of hot water, and while hot add two gallons of kerosene oil and stir until a lard-like substance ia formed. When used, dilute with water to 15 or 25 gallons. Insects and fungous growths appear together, hence, many combine paris green with the bordeaux mixture, saving half the cost of application. For applying, the pump selected should throw a heavy stream, with considerable force, and yet work with ease. The illustration herewith shows a powerful pump and suitable sprayer for all ordinary crops. The barrel is readily mounted on any form of wagon,—Prof, S, T. Maynard, \ Mesa. Agr. College, in Farm and Home.

HORTICULTURAL HINTS. Give the orchard all the potash that it needs. Coarse, raw manure is not fit for the garden. Toads, frogs and lizards are useful in the garden. The gem melon is the best seller in the market. Prune the quince tree and train it to a single stem. Missouri sold $19,500,000 worth of fruit last year. Extra work in getting a. good seed bed pays in garden work. Cut off all the bruised roots when planting a tree, but do not mutilate the top.

A neglected orchard incumbers land that might be used profitably for other purposes.

A late crop of cabbage is easily grown, for the seed can be planted in the open ground. Fife acres in cucumbers for pickles will ordinarily pay as much as all the real of the farm.—-Western Plowman.

fitllat Pill* to Plants.

The following note by Mr. Paul, of Cheabunt, on the method employed by M. Georges Truiifent of administering artificial food to plants iis of considerable interest to horticulturists. After an analysis of the aab of the living plant, the necessary salt# for. a given time, such as six months; are weighed out and enclosed in a metal cover to form what is called a “pill,” which is presumably inserted in the pot, diffusion of the salts taking place through the folds of the metal, and the thicker the metal the slower the diffusion. As the salts dissolve and disappear they are replaced by a core which expands until it completely fills the '.'pill.” The salts have no action bn the metal cover which remains firm and hard. It is stated that the solubility of the salts can be so regulated that a “pill” may be mode to last three or six months, as may be desired. By this method of feeding large well-colored plants are grown in pots of less than half the usual size.—Gardeners' Chronicle.

Charcoal for lawn*.

The dark color of charcoal makes it absorb heat, and thus warm the land to which it is applied as a dressing'. It may also hare considerable manurial value, as the charcoal easily absorbs ammonia, and if soaked in strong manure water from a compost it will sorry the ammonia to the Inwn id less offensive form than in the manure, which is often used for that purpose.