Remedial Measures and Insecticides. xli 



Soot is another article that has been greatly over-rated as an 

 insecticide ; and wood ashes may fall under the same category. 

 These substances are, doubtless, useful in dealing with slugs and 

 snails, their astringent and absorptive properties acting upon the 

 mucous surface of such animals ; but, when applied to dry insects, 

 such as caterpillars and scale bugs, they fail to adhere, or, when 

 adhering, to act in any way prejudicial to the insect. 



Lime, when applied dry, has little or no effect, unless there 

 happen to be moisture upon the insects. Even then its action 

 will be very partial and unsatisfactory. 



Powdered sulphur is also quite useless against scale insects. 



Many other substances have been made the subjects of ex- 

 periment ; but, as they are either far too costly or otherwise 

 impracticable, it is useless to enumerate them. 



In the foregoing notes I have endeavoured to gather together 

 the most reliable information on the subject of insecticides ap- 

 plicable to the treatment of Coccid pests. I present it to my 

 subscribers, hoping that from amongst the various processes some 

 treatment may be found to suit any case that may come under 

 their notice. 



