148 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Small amounts of this oiimlsiou may 1)0 mado l)y usiiif^ the ingrctlionts in small 

 quantities, but in tho same ri'lativo proportion. 



It should be diluted ten times for most insects, but many plants are al)le to resist 

 a stron<jjer mixture, which is usually more elTective. 



WHALE-OIL SOAP. 



This insecticide is rapidly cominji; into favor. It may be used at the rate of one 

 jiound to from fo\ir to six gallons of water for plant-lice and many other insects. 

 For winter spraying it is used at the rate of two pounds to a gallon of water. This is 

 the most cil'ective remedy known against*thc San Jose scale. 



\Vhale-oil soap shoulil cost about four cents per pound when bought in quantity. 

 It requires no ))reparation other than dissolving in water, and ordinarily is easily 

 a]iplied. Care should be observed to get an article that will not turn to a jelly 

 when dissolved at this rate, for jellied soap is very difhcult to spray. The above 

 strength, two pounds to a gallon, should never be a])plic<l except in the winter when 

 the trees are entirely dormant, for an application when the buds ave swelling or when 

 the leaves are on the tree is sure to do injury to the tree. 



PYRETIIRUM. 



(Buliacli or Persian Insect Powder.) 



Pyrethrum is a powder made by grinding the heads of a plant resembling our daisy. 

 It is produced in great quantities in California, where it is sold under the pro- 

 prietary name of "Buhacli." It is also imported from Persia and known as "Persian 

 Insect Powder." Now, the insecticidal value of the Pyrethrum lies in an oil which 

 readily passes oft" into the air, and to prevent the loss of this the powder should always 

 be kept tightly sealed in metal cans. Insect powder that has been exposed for sale in 

 o]ien cans in drug store windows is next to worthless, and should on no account be 

 purchased. This insect powder is harmless to all animals breathing by means of 

 lungs. It can be used either dry or in the form of an alcoholic extract. To apply 

 it dry, dust the powder on the insects either by means of a bellows or in some other 

 way.- To apply in the form of an extract, place four ounces of the powder in a pint 

 of alcohol, leave it for a week and filter, then dilute once with water, and apply 

 with an atou'izer. 



HELLEBORE. 



White hellebore is the powdered root of a plant. It kills both by contact and as an 

 internal poison. It may be applied either dry or in the form of a liquid. When 

 used dry it should be mixed with three or four times its weight of flour or plaster 

 and then dusted on the insects. Applied wet, one pound should be mixed with 

 twenty-five gallons of water and this liquid applied as a spray. A convenient form of 

 duster is made as follows: A tin box like a pepper box, holding a quart or less, is 

 fastened to a stick about six feet long by means of a screw running through the 

 bottom of the box into the stick. The cover of this box should be finely perforated to 

 allow the poison to come out very slowly when shaken. This box can then be shaken 

 over the infested plants and the insects pe]ipered or dusted ^vith the poison. 



Hellebore is especially useful against all moist-bodied insects, such as currant worms, 

 pear and cherry slugs, etc., for the poison sticks to their bodies. 



