SPRAYING APPLES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1909, Page 3

SPRAYING APPLES.

O Some time ago (says the Melbourne* Argus) complaints were made regarding the practice of spraying fruit with a, solution of arsenate of lead. It was as* eertcd that in some cases a deposit re-< mained on the fruit, rendering it injurious to health. Local investigation* by experts failed to establish a case against spraying, but to make doubly, sure, the assistant Victorian Goyern-i ment entomologist (Mr. C. French, jun.), wrote to the United States Department of Agriculture on the question. From Mr. L. O. Howard, chief of the bureau of entomology, at Washington, Mr. French has received the following leU ter : — "So far as I am aware, there are no recorded cases in the United States o£ poisoning from eating apples sprayedi with arsenate of lead. The possibility, of poisoning from the excessive use of the spray was investigated by Dr. S. A. Forbes a year- or so ago, and reported upon in one of Ihe bulletins of the Illinois Experiment Station. I think it is very improbable indeed tha* there is any truth that poisoning couli result from the consumption of apple* which have been sprayed with arsenate of lead, except, perhaps, if this were applied at ripening' time, for which, so far as I am aware, there is absolutely, no necessity. I am inclined to attribute the complaint at Geelong to ojiher causes. Although arsenate of lead is often used in large amounts, as compared with Paris green, it must ba borne in mind that the actual arsenio contents are relatively low, and thus to 'get the exact arsenic equivalent, in the two, about 41b, of arsenate of lead would be required to lib of Paris 1 green. The lead, of course, is poisonous if taken in considerable quantity." ~*~^— — — — — — — j