Fungicides and Insecticides 215 



in 10 to 12 gal. water, and stirring in 5 Ib. of washing soda. Dissolve 1 Ib. 

 of soda in hot water; then add 3 pt. of ammonia, and dilute to 50 gal. of 

 water. (See " Arnmoniacal Copper Fungicide ".) 



9. Hellebore Powder. This is prepared from the roots of Veratrum 

 albv/m and V. viride, and is a popular remedy against attacks of leaf- 

 eating insects and caterpillars. The powder is a poisonous alkaloid, but 

 loses its property by keeping. Fresh powder, therefore, should be used, 

 and may be distributed by means of a perforated tin or through a piece 

 of muslin. If used as a solution (which is the most economical method), 

 2 Ib. fresh Hellebore powder should be added to 10 gal. water, and well 

 stirred while spraying. 



10. Hydrocyanic Acid Gas. This has already been referred to as a 

 vaporizer and fumigant at p. 169. 



11. Iron Sulphate (Green Vitriol, Ferrous Sulphate). Formula: 



Iron sulphate ... ... ... ... ... 40 Ib. 



Sulphuric acid ... ... ... ... ... 2 



Warm water ... ... ... ... ... 10 gal. 



Dissolve crystals of iron sulphate in the water in a wooden vessel, and add 

 the sulphuric acid, and apply hot and fresh in winter to fruit trees. If 

 allowed to stand for more than twenty-four hours the salt recrystallizes, 

 and the solution is then less effectual. 



12. Paraffin Emulsion (Petroleum, Kerosene, &c.). Paraffin is used 

 in a variety of ways, and is effective in keeping off attacks of leaf-miners, 

 like the Parsnip and Celery Fly, and others, if applied before attack. It 

 is also useful for aphides, caterpillars, slugs, &c. The following formulae 

 will be found useful: 



I. Paraffin 2 gal. 



Soft soap ... ... ... ... ... ... | Ib. 



Boiling water ... ... ... ... ... 1 gal. 



II. Paraffin 1 pt. 



Soft soap 1 qt. 



Soft water 2 



III. Paraffin 1 gal. 



Soft soap 1| Ib. 



Water 10 gal. 



In all cases dissolve soft soap first, and then add the paraffin and stir well. 

 A very simple paraffin remedy is to add an eggcupful of paraffin and a 

 handful of soft soap to a bucket of hot water, and churn well with the 

 syringe, and apply in a fine spray over foliage. 



13. Paraffin Jelly. This is made by boiling 5 gal. of paraffin with 

 8 Ib. soft soap, and adding 1 pt. of cold water, constantly stirring. When 

 cool this becomes a jelly, and may be used at the rate of 10 Ib. to 40 gal. of 

 soft water for aphides, red-spider, &c. 



