18 



essary being a hole in the infested ground made with stick or bar, 

 into which a little of the liquid is poured and the hole closed by a 

 lump of earth. The liquid, as has just been noticed, speedily be- 

 comes a vapor, which extends on all sides for some distance, 

 varying with the nature of the soil, and kills all insects with which 

 it comes in contact. It has been used in Europe in large quanti- 

 ties and with great success for killing root-infesting insects, and 

 of late has been used to a less extent in this country. It may also 

 be used on carpets in closets, or anywhere the housekeeper may 

 discover moths, always providing that no spark of fire shall come 

 in contact with the vapor and that the disagreeable odor can be 

 tolerated. This odor, however, is not without value, for by it 

 the presence of the vapor and the danger from fire can readily be 

 detected. After using it a thorough ventilation removes all danger, 

 and after all it is little, if any, more dangerous than benzine, and 

 more efficacious, though more expensive. In pound bottles it 

 costs about thirty cents, but it is said that in large quantities it can 

 be bought from the makers for about twelve cents. It is not, as 

 hitherto used at any rate, useful against leaf eaters or for spraying, 

 since it is injurious to the foliage and not as certain to kill as the 

 arsenites. This substance is also useful, and carbolic acid and ker- 

 osene can be used in the same way, to destroy ants when they be- 

 come troublesome, by punching a hole in the hill, pouring the 

 liquid into it, and then plugging the opening. 



HELLEBORE. 



I know of no better agent to use for currant worms, rose slugs, 

 and the like, than the long-tried white hellebore, but as a general 

 insecticide it is not so valuable as some of the others named above. 

 It is very often used as a dry powder, but, like pyrethrum, and in- 

 deed all insecticides of which I have any knowledge, it is more 

 easily, and thoroughly, and consequently, more effectually applied 

 as a liquid. One ounce of the hellebore, as purchased, may be 

 mixed with four or five quarts of water, and then be sprayed or 

 sprinkled over the bushes. 



COPPERAS. 



A solution of copperas in water has been used with good re- 

 sults, in some cases, and as it is so simple and easily procured a 

 remedy, it is worthy of trial. It is of greatest value when used on 

 soft-bodied larvae, but it may well be tried. The strength need 

 not be great ; two ounces in a quart of water would he sufficient. 



