126 FLORIDA FRUITS ORANGES. 



gallons of water may be recommended. It should be ap- 

 plied in early spring before the new growth begins. Two 

 or three applications will be required, which should be 

 made at intervals of one week. The cost of the wash, at 

 the ordinary retail price for the soap (ten cents per pound), 

 is two cents per gallon. 



Very weak solutions may be made effective if used at 

 frequent short intervals, but the labor and expense of 

 making the numerous applications required will be very 

 great. 



A solution of one pound to a gallon will not injure the 

 trees but may cause the blossoms to drop. No directions 

 can be given as to the greatest strength of solutions that 

 can be used upon blooming trees without loss of fruit, as 

 this depends largely upon the condition of the tree. So- 

 lutions of one pound to ten gallons can probably be safely 

 used in most cases, and will be effective if several appli- 

 cations are made at intervals of a few days. 



Sulphur. The mites, both adult and young, are very 

 sensitive to sulphur, and are killed by it in any form in 

 which it can be made to act upon them. The eggs, how- 

 ever, are not readily affected, and even survive an expos- 

 ure to the fumes, which will kill the plant. Fumigation 

 can not be resorted to without extreme danger to the life 

 and health of the tree. The finely powdered (sublimed) 

 flowers of sulphur does not affect the plant; it adheres 

 more readily than might be supposed to the smooth surfaces 

 of the leaves, and especially when they are roughened by 

 the mites ; it is not entirely washed away by heavy rains. 

 Although it does not kill the eggs, it effectually extermi- 

 nates the free mites, which are sure to come in contact 

 with it in their wanderings, and if it can be made to re- 

 main upon the plant, the young, as they are hatched out, 

 are also destroyed. 



