FARMERS' CLASSES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 224, 25 August 1914, Page 2

FARMERS' CLASSES.

At tlte Fanners' Class tit tho Pukekoho Technical School on Thursday night insect tests ami fungus diseases were dealt with at length on tho nature, characteristics and life history of fungi, with general methods of keeping them in check. Tho instructor also described insects and divided thorn into two typos for convenience in treatment: (a) sucking insects, i hj) liiting insoct*. For fungus diseases spraying is undertaken to kill tho sporos or seeds of tho fungi before they have entered tho plant Ooco they havo entered measures can only be taken to prevent their spreading, not to kill them. Biting insects are killed by poisoning the food on which they live. Sucking inseds which are suckiug food from underneath surface, of leaves and stems cannot be poisoned. Those are killed liy sprays which l>urn or suffocate. These are called contact sprays. Sprays fur fungus:— (1) Bordeaux mixture; (2) Burgundy mixtures; [3) powdered sulphur. Sprays for liiting insects: — v l) Arsenate load ; (o) hellebore powder. Sprays for sucking insocts:—(l) Rod oil emulsion (burns); -) kerosene emulsion burns ; tobacco wash burns ami repels insects); (I; lime salt sulphur (burns); (•">) rosin wash (sticks) ; J\) soap solution (sticks); and several others.

Samples of Bordeaux mixture, Burgundy mixture ami kerosono emulsion wore made up aud points explained and questions unsworod about them.

Mussel scale was being examined when tho leeturo closed.

Noxt night Mr Donnan will agrfiu deal with pests aud disease of trees and crops, and yo into details where required.