MUSSEL SCALE. 41 



given in addition to the first thorough moistening, so as to 

 wash down or kill all that may have only been disturbed or 

 may be lodged in crevices. 



Soft-soap or common coarse household soap are useful for 

 this purpose, and the following recipes for dressings are men- 

 tioned as having been found serviceable, and might be varied, 

 in proportion of the ingredients, as thought fit. 



One ounce of soft-soap, one pound of tobacco-paper, and 

 four handfuls of sulphur to one gallon of water ; this is to be 

 applied with a painter's brush, taking care to rub thoroughly; 

 use plenty of the liquid, and flood every part of the tree. 

 Three applications in this way are stated to have been always 

 found a complete cure. 



As a means of clearing the scale out of crevices, it is advised 

 to scrub the trees well at the proper season (that is, during 

 April or early in May) with soft-soap and water, and then 

 brush them over with" the following mixture : — Two pounds of 

 soft-soap and one pound of flour of sulphur, well mixed in 

 about fourteen gallons of water. 



The following mixture has been found serviceable in de- 

 stroying scale insects, Thrips, and other plant-vermin : — One 

 hogshead of lime-water (use half a bushel of lime to this 

 quantity of water) ; add four pounds of flour of sulphur, six 

 quarts of tobacco-water, and four pounds of soft-soap. This 

 mixture is to be well stirred and incorporated together, and 

 applied by dipping the infested boughs or by syringing. The 

 composition may be allowed to dry and remain on for about 

 a week or ten days, when it may be washed ofl" with clear 

 water. 



It is also said to answer to get some tenacious clay, dilute 

 it with water to about the consistency of paint, and to every 

 gallon of this add half a pound of sulphur ; mix them well, 

 and paint the trees all over. It is advised to apply two dress- 

 ings of this, allowing the first to be thoroughly dry before the 

 second is put on. It requires a fortnight to kill the scale by 

 this application, and when the clay drops off it will bring the 

 scale with it. 



The following notes (though not referring to this species), 

 taken from Prof. J. B. Smith's excellent work, mentioned in 

 note, p. 40, give good advice as to the importance of applying 

 treatment in good time, before the active larvte have settled 

 down for pupation under the protection of a thoroughly formed 

 scale. The passage is as follows : — 



" Where winter treatment is inadvisable or impossible, 

 applications should be made when the larvae emerge from the 

 eggs, and before they fasten themselves to leaves or twigs. 

 There is no difficulty in killing the young with either soap- 



