130 VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Tobacco Washes. Highly concentrated nicotine extracts are obtainable 

 and are more convenient to the vegetable grower than home-made prepara- 

 tions. The manufacturers supply directions for mixing which should be 

 carefully followed. 



As a contact spray these mixtures are particularly useful in the treatment 

 of aphis. 



Sunlight Soap Wash. Another useful spray for aphides, Ac., can be made 

 by dissolving a cake of Sunlight soap in 2 gallons of water, and spraying 

 when warm. This is easy to mix, and has given satisfactory results. 



Kerosene Emulsion. The prepared spraying oils of heavier nature, under 

 various brands, have mostly taken the place of kerosene emulsion, but it is 

 still used by a good many gardeners. 



A stock solution can be prepared as follows : 

 Hard soap, J Ib. 

 Kerosene, 2 gallons. 

 Boiling water, 1 gallon. 



Dissolve ^ Ib. of hard soap in 1 gallon of boiling water ; while still boiling 

 stir in 2 gallons of kerosene, then immediately pump the whole from one 

 vessel into another. The outlet from the short delivery hose (or iron pipe 

 for the rubber perishes) should be small enough to enable a good pressure to 

 be maintained whilst pumping; a course spray nozzle on the end of the outlet 

 hose or pipe will suffice. 



If any trouble is found in emulsifying these proportions, a greater quantity 

 of the boiling soap solution should be added, and the whole put through the 

 pump again. 



Treat the above as a stock solution, and dilute it with boiling water to make 

 the total solution 22 gallons before using. For tender plants more water 

 should be used. Soft water only should be used for mixing and diluting. 



Kerosene is very severe on rubber hoses, and they should have a warm soda 

 solution pumped through them after use to clear them thoroughly of the oil. 



OTHER METHODS OF CONTROL. 



In addition to spraying to control diseases and pests, other means are 

 sometimes adopted. The chief of these are as follows : - 



Lime and Tobacco Dust. This mixture is particularly useful for insects 

 like cabbage moth grubs, pumpkin beetles, slugs, and snails. It consists of 

 freshly slaked lime-dust, and tobacco-dust, mixed dry, in the proportion of 

 4 to 1. After mixing these well together, dust the mixture by hand over the 

 plants. Apply during the early morning when the dew is on the leaves. 



