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.