SPRAYING APPLES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 118, 17 May 1909, Page 6

SPRAYING APPLES.

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 asserted that in some cases a deposit remained on the fruit, rendering it injurious to health. Local investigations by .experts failed to establish a case against spraying, but to make doubly sure, the assistant

Victorian Government 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 letter:.— - "■.'■■' "So"far as I ani aware, there are no recorded cases in the United States of poisoning . from eating , N apples sprayed with arsenate of lead. Tho 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 the bulletins of the Illinois Experiment Station. I think it is very improbable : indeed that there is any truth that poisoning could result from the consumption _of apples 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 other causes. Although arsenate'of lead is often used in large amounts, as compared _ with Paris green, it must be borne in mind that the actual arsenic contents are rela^tively 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 green. The lead, of course, is poisdnous if taken in considerable quantity."