VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 129 



be suspended in a porous bag (bit of muslin or sacking) as near the surface of 

 the water as possible. If the bluestone is thrown into the vessel, and water 

 poured on the top of it, it will not dissolve in a week. When suspended as 

 described,^ it should dissolve in about twenty-four hours. 



The bluestone solution when made must be diluted until there are 10 

 gallons of solution, before the lime solution is added to it. This is a very 

 important point. If the copper solution is too strong, the precipitate formed 

 is thick and heavy, and liable to clog the nozzle of the spray-pump. 



The lime, which should be freshly burnt, should be slacked with a small 

 quantity of water. Slacking on a board is to be recommended rather than 

 in a cask, because if the lime is really freshly burnt there will be considerable 

 heat evolved, and the barrel may suffer. Place the whole of the lime on a 

 board, and pour over it about a pint of water. The lime, if it is good, 

 should become very hot, crack asunder, give off a quantity of steam, and 

 finally crumble into a fine white powder This' is now emptied into a barrel 

 and the other 10 gallons of, water added. Stir and allow to settle, then 

 pour off the milky solution through a strainer. 



Finally run both the lime and bluestone solutions, at the same time, into 

 a third vessel. 



For diseases such as late (or Irish) blight of potatoes and tomatoen, use 

 only half the quantity of water given above. 



Arsenate of Lead for Leaf-eating Insects. 



For the destruction of leaf-eating insects, ar.senate of lead has proved most 

 efficient. The spray is simply made by taking 1| oz. of dry arsenate of lead 

 powder and mixing it with 5 gallons of water.. A thin paste is made with 

 the powder first, and this is stirred into the vat containing the quantity of 

 water required. It is important to make sure that the powder is thoroughly 

 wet throughout before the paste is diluted, otherwise some will simply sink 

 to the bottom and be lost. If arsenate of lead is purchased, twice the above 

 amount as specified for powder is required. It is important to keep the 

 mixture well agitated when spraying. 



Sprays for Sucking Insects. 



Miscible Oils. There are several brands of miscible oils on the market. 

 They are for the most part petroleum products that have been so treated as 

 to make them mix quite freely with water. These oils are efficient and use- 

 ful (especially for controlling aphis) but must be used with caution, as serious 

 injury to the plants is caused if they are too strong. The manufacturers 

 directions should be carefully followed, 

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