MUSSEL SCALE. 299 



the infested bark with lathers of" any kind of soap (or any 

 dressing that may be preferred), and then scraping the surface 

 with a bhmt knife, or rubbing it with pieces of coarse canvas, 

 or well brushing it, so as to clear off the Scale without hurting 

 the bark. 



Scraping with a blunt knife is a good plan, as in this way 

 the Scales, Moss, and everything on the surface, are mixed up 

 in a plaster with the soapy lather, and got thorouglily rid of 

 together ; if brushing is preferred, good drenchings of soap 

 and water, or of dressings poisonous to the Scale, should be 

 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 

 mentioned 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 

 destroying Scale insects, Thrips, and other plant-vermin : — ■ 

 One hogshead of lime-w\ater (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 off 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 

 dressings 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. 



