On 15 Jan, 14:25, Mike.......
wrote:

i would like to see stats for quantities of inorganic matter applied
per square whatever over history, I suspect its a steep upward graph.
Even if Tutenkamun put ground up beetle on his pot plants.

) Couldn't give you the exact quantities, but could perhaps find
when and what was put on the shelves and later removed. And
subsequently I could then give you facts/figures on parental exposure
to pesticide and congenital malformations and cancers from North
America to South Africa - though that's pretty grim stuff.

Even the Museum of Garden History in London has a health warning which
says:- 'Please note that the following advice was written before the
harmful effect of some chemicals were known. Treat it as of historical
interest and not practical advice!'. And that wasn't on the basis of
large commercial growing but for the Knott Garden alone.

ps. I've got lots of info/images about beetles, if you're interested.
I think they're gorgeous ... g