POWDERS FOR PESTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1939, Page 9

POWDERS FOR PESTS

MODERN CONTROL METHOD.

The gardener must now take active steps to eradicate the pests which, :f allowed to increase unchecked, will play havoc with his flowers, fruits and vegetables. Science has come to aid him in his annual combat and has provided a number of powders fatal to most plant enemies. Those who desire scab-free apples can use copper dust now that the fruit has set. This powder is also effective for pears. Derris powder has come much to the fore in the

last few years. While it is deadly to biting insects, it is harmless to human beings, and may be safely applied to crops which are nearing maturity. For instance, the destructive raspberry and loganberry beetle can be checked by its use, and it is the avowed enemy of the gooseberry sawfly and the pear sawfly. Those who grow vegetables

have stauncn allies in me vauuus powders now available. Probably the worst pests of the cabbage tribe are the caterpillars of the white butterfly. Here again derris dust provides an easily applied and effective remedy. Mould on tomatoes can be overcome by the use of green sulphur, and this dust is also useful for preventing mildew on peas, cucumbers, leeks, roses and other plants. Even the destructive woolly aphis succumbers to nicotine dust applied forcibly. This must be directed on the wool-like clusters. Special powder distributors are now available, and by their aid the various dusts can be applied quickly and easily.