HOW AND WHEN TO SPRAY. 48 



enter until several weeks after the spraying is done, or 

 serious consequences may follow. 



A coarser spray should be used for winter than for 

 summer work. In winter spraying see that the fluid is 

 forced into every crevice of the bark, and also reaches 

 every twig and branch. Always use indiarubber gloves 

 on the hands when spraying with the caustic soda emul- 

 sion. If not, the skin may be burned by the fluid. 



Syringing Greenhouse or Window Plants. — 

 Very large plants should be laid on their sides and the 

 foliage be gradually well moistened by the fluid, the 

 operator standing at the pot end and turning the plant 

 over by degrees. Keep the plant on its side for an hour 

 or so, then well syringe with water. Smaller plants may 

 be syringed thus : Place the insecticide in a large tub ; then 

 get another person to hold the stem and pot firmly on the 

 edge, while another well syringes the foliage, which is held 

 over the hquid. Small single plants may be treated as 

 follows: Grasp the stem between the middle fingers of 

 the right hand and also the top of the pot. With the 

 other hand also hold the pot firmly ; then invert the foliage 

 and dip it tw^o or three times in a vessel of insecticide, 

 and give it a gentle shake to disperse superfluous fluid. 



A number of small plants may be treated quickly in this 

 fashion. This is a good way to cleanse fern fronds of dust. 



Spongring: Plants. — Many hard-leaved plants, like 

 oranges, camellias, etc., may be cleared of insects by 

 sponging the leaves and stems with an insecticide solu- 

 tion, such as soft soap and quassia, or paraffin and soft 

 soap, or one of the advertised insecticides. Use a piece 

 of sponge free from grit. This is very important, as 

 particles of grit would lacerate the leaves. Scale ins-ects 

 may be scraped off with a thin blade of wood or removed 

 with a hard tooth- or nail-brush, and the parts afterwards 

 well washed with the sponge and insecticide. Frequent 

 sponging is beneficial, as it not only removes insects, but 

 also honeydew and filth collected on the foliage. 



