38 



soda of 76 per cent; one and one quarter pounds of solid caustic soda of 63 

 per cent. Any one of these to one half pound of commercial potash, at 52 

 per cent. To be dissolved in four gallons of water; one quarter of a pound 

 of whale-oil soap (80 per cent) to each gallon of mixture. 



For peaches and cherries, and in the drier localities, whale oil and sal 

 soda in this proportion: One gallon of whale oil to twenty-five pounds of 

 sal soda; twenty-five gallons of water. Prepare the same as above. 



For the different kinds of lecaniums, such as the black scale and brown 

 scale infesting deciduous trees, slightly weaker solutions than those used for 

 the pernicious scale may be used with good effect. As regards the many 

 different kinds of solutions used and offered for sale, the best advice is to 

 not experiment too much, on a large scale at least. If by experience in 

 the locality certain remedies have proved themselves reliable, they had 

 better be adhered to. In using new remedies use them only on a few trees, 

 and allow a season to pass before you consider that you are sure of their 

 efiicacy and influence on the tree. As a general thing, compounds that 

 are very sticky and oily, remaining for a long time in such a condition on 

 the trees, should be very cautiously dealt with until their nature and com- 

 position are better understood. Especially are these dangerous to the stone 

 fruits, and unless properly diluted will prove positively fatal. 



As regards the use of kerosene as an insecticide, the greatest danger is to 

 the roots. It should only be used as an emulsion with soap, or as a com- 

 ponent part of the soap. 



SUMMER REMEDIES. 



Solutions are applied with best results when the majority of the insects 

 are hatched, and persons should watch for this time; the first brood of the 

 Aspidiotvs 2:>erniciosi(s appears generally when the cherries are turning color. 



As a general useful wash the sulphide of soda or sulphide of potash, with 

 whale-oil soap, has proved very satisfactor3^ One and one half pounds of 

 sulphur; one pound of concentrated lye, or powdered caustic soda, four fifths 

 of a pound ; or caustic potash, one pound ; fourteen pounds best whale-oil 

 soap (80 per cent soap) ; fifty-five gallons water. Dissolve the lye in one 

 gallon of water, and boil the sulphur until dissolved. Dissolve the soap in 

 the water; mix the two and boil them a short time; use at 130 degrees F. 

 in vessel. 



I do not hesitate to recommend this solution also for orange and lemon 

 trees infected with the various lecaniums, and, if properly used, also for the 

 red orange scale. It is, however, not to be expected that on an orange tree, 

 with its dense foliage, these insects could be exterminated. This can only 

 be done by cutting the tree back in the spring and washing the trunk and 

 main limbs most thoroughh^ 



For the red scale the gas process described under the head of the fluted 

 scale is absolutely the most thorough, and we are glad to learn that leading 

 growers are preparing for it. 



Another solution, first recommended by Mr. B. M. Lelong and tried pretty 

 thoroughly by people on the Sacramento River, is the following: 



For Scale Insects on Deciduous Trees — Sprayed on Fruit. 



Ingredients for one barrel of fifty (measure) gallons: Weight, about four 

 hundred and fifty to five hundred pounds; ten pounds caustic soda, 98 per 

 cent; ten pounds potash; forty pounds tallow; forty pounds rosin. First — 

 Dissolve the potash and soda in ten gallons of water. When dissolved, 

 place the whole amount in the barrel to be used. Second — Dissolve the 



