12 
As a remedy for the mosquito, kerosene has proved very effective. It 
is employed to destroy the larvie of the mosquitoes in their favorite 
breeding places in small pools, still ponds, or stagnant water; and where 
such bodies of water are not sources of drinking supply or of value for 
their fish, especially in the case of temporary pools from rains, which 
frequently breed very disagreeable local swarms, the use of oil is 
strongly recommended. The kerosene is applied at the rate of 1 ounce 
to 15 square feet of water surface. It forms a uniform film over the 
surface and destroys all forms of aquatic insect life, including the larvee 
of the mosquito, and also the adult females coming to the water to 
deposit their eggs. The application retains its efficiency for several 
weeks, even with the occurrence of heavy rains. 
THE KEROSENE WASHES. 
The kerosene and soap emulsion formula. 
Iierose@ne: S222 22cs sees ccB Sate ce as Se eRe oo Sean Oa ee gallons... 2 
Wihale-orl soap (or I quart: softss0ap)) ase sa-s =e ee ee eee pound... 4 
Water. 22S 2.2. Sorte esl Re ee eect nee ee ee eee Sac eee eee gallon.. 1 
The soap, first finely divided, is dissolved in the water by boiling 
and immediately added boiling hot, away from the fire, to the kerosene. 
The whole mixture is then agitated violently while hot by being pumped 
back upon itseif with a foree pump and direct discharge nozzle throw- 
ing a strong stream, preferably one-eighth inch in diameter. After from 
three to five minutes’ pumping the emulsion should be perfect, and the 
mixture will have increased from one-third to one-half in bulk and 
assumed the consistency of cream. Well made, the emulsion will keep 
indefinitely, and should be diluted only as wanted for use. 
For the treatment of large orchards or in municipal work requiring 
large quantities of the emulsion, it will be advisable to manufacture it 
with the aid of a steam or gasoline engine, as has been very succes stally 
and economically done in several instances, all the work of heating, 
churning, ete., being accomplished by this means. 
The use of whale-oil 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 itis more permanent, and does not lose its creamy con- 
sistency, and is always easily diluted, whereas with most of the other 
common soaps the mixture 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 use, such water should be broken with lye, or rain water 
employed; but better than either, follow the milk emulsion formula, 
with which the character of the water, whether hard or soft, does net 
affect the result. 
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