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.
