
11 
The use of whale-oi] soap, especially if the emulsion is to be kept for 
any length of time, is strongly recommended, not only because the soap 
possesses considerable insecticide value itself, but because the emul- 
sion made with it is more permanent, and does not lose its creamy con- 
sistency, and is always easily diluted, whereas with most of the other 
common soaps the inixture becomes cheesy after a few days and needs 
reheating to mix with water. Soft soap answers very well, and 1 quart 
of it may be taken in lieu of the hard soaps. 
In limestone regions or where the water is very hard some of the 
soap will combine with the lime or magnesia in the water and more or 
less of the oil will be freed, especially when the emulsion is diluted. 
Before using, such water should be broken with lye, or rain water used, 
but better than either, use the milk emulsion, with which the character 
of the water whether hard or soft does not affect the result. 
The kerosene and milk emulsion.—The formula is as follows: 
ETO SOM Gg ry okt ce wns ihe cy het Sey AM RL RE Wyo SUAS A ES 2k Phase gallons.. 2 
MATEO ORE SE Stas pets ieee ee te Meee aiee oe ie Sey et one Onn 2 gallon... 1 
Heating is unnecessary in making the milk emulsion, which other- 
wise is churned as in the former case. The change from a watery 
liquid to a thick buttery consistency, much thicker than with the 
soap, takes place very suddenly after three to five minutes’ agitation. 
With sweet milk difficulty will frequently be experienced, and if the 
emulsion does not result in five minutes, the addition of a little vine- 
gar will induce prompt action. It is better to prepare the milk emul- 
sion from time to time for immediate use unless it can be stored in 
quantity in air-tight jars, otherwise it will ferment and spoil after a 
week or two. 
How to use the emulsion.—During the growing period of summer, for 
most plant-lice and other soft-bodied insects, dilute the emulsion with 
from 15 to 20 parts of water; for the red spider and other plant mites 
the same with the addition of 1 ounce of powdered suiphur to the 
gallon; for scale insects, the larger plant-bugs, larve, and beetles, 
dilute with from 7 to 9 parts water; apply with spray pump. 
For winter applications to the trunks and larger limbs of trees, in the 
dormant and leafless condition, to destroy scale-insects, stronger mix- 
tures may be used even to the pure emulsion, which may be applied 
with brush or sponge. This latter is heroic treatment and only advisa- 
ble in cases of excessive infestation, and in general itis much better and 
safer to defer the treatment until the young scales hatch in the spring, 
when the 9-times diluted wash may be used with more certain results 
and without danger to plants. The winter treatment should usually 
be followed by a use of the spring wash to destroy any young which 
may come from female scales escaping the stronger wash. 
Pure kerosene.—The pure oil may be applied as a winter wash to the 
older parts of plants either in a spray or with a sponge, using the least 
possible quantity. Its use is not advised except in exceptionally bad 
