124 DESTEUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



CHAPTER XX. 



Tabulated List oe the Principal Materials in use 

 FOR the Destruction of Noxious Insects, adapted 



FROM MaSKELL, with PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS. 



1. Alcohol (Spirits of Wine, &c.). — Will kill most 

 soft-bodied iusects, but sprayed over scale produced no 

 apparent effect. — Comstock. Tried against Rutlierglen 

 bug pest, but fiiiled to kill tlie insect. Is also too expen- 

 sive for general use. — C. F. 



2. Ammonia. — Whether used pure (dihited) or in wine 

 damages the plant much more than it does the insect. — 

 Hubbard., Comstock. 



3. Ashes. — Ashes, powdered or mixed with lime, salt, 

 soot, &c., of no use whatever. — Hubbard. I have seen 

 wood ashes used with good effect on peach aphis and 

 pear slug. — C. F. 



4. Benzole. — A valuable and AA'ell-tried remedy against 

 insects attacking ripe or ripening fruit, as grapes, 

 cherries, &c., as it will kill almost any insect by contact; 

 no perceptible flavour of the benzole being noticeable on 

 the fruit. Must be kept well stirred, and used with a very 

 fine spray pump and nozzle ; should not be used on young 

 and tender foliage of fruit trees of any kind. — C. F. 



5. Carbolic Acid. — Of no avail, either as si-)ray or 

 brushed on, unless used in such strength as to seriously 

 injure the tree. — Hubbard., Riley, Comstock. A weak 

 solution is verv o:ood for use ao;ainst the elm-borer and 

 peach-borer, also for the preservation of cabmet speci- 

 mens of insects, and against clothes moths. — C. F. 



6. Carbon Bi-sulphide. — A very useful material, but 

 very combustive and offensive to those who use it. It is 

 especially valuable in destroying the white ants at roots 

 of vines and the citrus family ; but as it evaporates very 

 quickly, Quibell's Mixture was found to be more suitable 

 as being more lasting in its character. Bi-sulphide has 



