REMEDIES. 9 



KEROSENE EMULSION. Kerosene is a contact poison, possessing 

 great penetrating powers. It has long been known, used pure, as 

 a powerful insecticide, but its strength made it as dangerous to 

 foliage as to the insects. Prepared as an emulsion, however, it is 

 safe as regards foliage, and yet effective as an insect-killing sub- 

 stance. The emulsion should be prepared by the following for- 

 mula: 



Hard soap i pound. 



Water 1 gallon. 



Kerosene .2 gallons. 



The soap should be dissolved in boiling hot water, and the suds 

 poured, boiling hot, into the kerosene. The suds and kerosene 

 should be thoroughly churned (preferably by means of a force- 

 pump) until the emulsion is well made. It should appear as a 

 rich, creamy mass. As it cools it thickens, jelly-like. When us- 

 ing, this stock emulsion should be diluted with from 9 to 12 times 

 its measure of water. Thus, one gallon of stock emulsion will 

 make 10 gallons of the emulsion ready to be sprayed. The emul- 

 sion is used against insects which cannot be killed by the use of 

 arsenical poisons, such as plant-lice, scale insects, and various 

 sucking bugs. 



PYRETHRUM, a vegetable insect poison, acting by external contact. 

 It is got by pulverizing the flowers of certain species of Pyrethrum. 

 Its essential poisonous principle is a volatile oil, which escapes on 

 the long standing of the powder. It is therefore absolutely nec- 

 essary that fresh pyrethrum be obtained if any favorable results 

 are to be expected. The reason for so many reported failures in 

 using pyrethrum as an insecticide is undoubtedly found in the 

 fact that stale powder was used. Persian Insect Powder, Cali- 

 fornia Buhach, Dalmatian Insect Powder, are other names for 

 pyrethrum. In inquiring at the druggist's, one should ask for 

 fresh California Buhach, and for the best, and should insist on 

 the freshness and the quality. While the powder is extremely 

 active in its destructive effects on insects, it is practically harm- 

 less to human beings and household animals. The powder should 

 be mixed with twice its bulk of rye flour, and kept in tight jars 

 for two or three days, when the entire mass will be as effective as 

 the pure powder (Smith). Common flour may be used, and the 

 proportion vary from two to five times the bulk of the pyrethrum. 

 It should be dusted over the insect-infested foliage when the pests 



