
11 
It may also be used as a spray at the rate of 1 ounce to 2 gallons of 
water, but in this case should be mixed some twenty-four hours before 
being applied. For immediate use, a decoction may be prepared by 
boiling in water from five to ten minutes. 
SULPHUR. 
Flowers of sulphur is one of the best remedies for plant mites such 
as the red spider, six-spotted orange mite, rust mite of the citrus _ 
fruits, etc. Applied at the rate of 1 ounce to a gallon of water, or 
mixed with some other insecticide, such as kerosene emulsion, it is a 
very effective remedy. For the rust mite, sprinkling the sulphur 
about under the trees is sometimes sufficient in moist climates to keep 
the fruit bright. Sulphur is often used to rid poultry houses of vermin, 
and when fed to cattle is said to be a good means of ridding them of 
lice, or it may be mixed with grease, oil, etc., and rubbed into the skin. 
BISULPHIDE OF LIME. 
This chemical is even better than sulphur as a remedy for mites. It 
is a liquid, and can be diluted easily to any extent. It can be made 
very cheaply by boiling together, in a small quantity of water, equal 
parts of lime and flowers of sulphur. For mites take 5 pounds of sul- 
phur and 5 pounds of lime, and boil in a small quantity of water until 
both are dissolved and a brownish liquid results. Dilute to 100 gallons. 
PURE KEROSENE. 
Kerosene, or coal oil, is occasionally used directly against insects, 
although its importance as an insecticide is in the combinations with 
soap and milk described below. Under exceptional conditions it may 
be sprayed directly on living plants, and it has been so used, even in 
the growing season, without injury. It is apt, however, even in the 
dormant season, on leafless plants, to do serious injury or to kill the 
plant outright. The pure oil should only be applied as a winter wash 
either in a spray or with a sponge, using the least possible quantity. 
Its use is not advised save in exceptionally bad cases of infestation and 
during the dormant period. It is least dangerous to plants on bright, 
dry, warm days. 
Kerosene is now being used to a certain extent, also, mechanically 
combined with water in the act of spraying, and is less harmful in this 
way than when used pure, as it is broken up more finely and is better 
distributed; but the danger to tender plants is not altogether avoided 
by this means. 
Many insects which can not be destroyed by ordinary insecticides, 
or where it is unsafe to spray the plants themselves, may be killed by 
jarring them from the plants into pans of water on which a little kero- 
sene is floating, or they may be shaken from the plants upon cloth 
screens saturated with kerosene, the crude product being preferable 
for the latter purpose. 
