MATERIALS FOR DESTROYING. 125 



been tried with varying success against phylloxera, and 

 were it more lasting in its nature, it is difficult to under- 

 stand the cause of even a partial failure. For the preser- 

 vation of furs, seed grain, &c., nothing is so cheap and 

 effective as bi-sulphide of carbon ; and if the articles to 

 be treated are placed in a comparatively air-tight tin box, 

 no living thing can withstand its effects. The use of bi- 

 sulphide in covered close quarters is said to produce 

 insanity and other diseases, but with due care and a pro- 

 per regard to ventilation, there is, I think, little danger to 

 be apprehended from its use. Against ants and ant-hills 

 bore holes in the hills, pour bi-sulphide into the holes and 

 cover quickly, when every ant, eggs and all which are in 

 the formicarium, will be destroyed. C. F. 



7. CASTOR OIL. Has been found efficacious in cleaning 

 Hawthorn trees at the Agricultural College, Lincoln, 

 IS\Z. T. Kirk. It was mixed with soot, for some 

 unexplained reason. It is doubtless a valuable remedy, 

 but as an insect destroyer it is too expensive for general 

 use. Castor oil plants if grown on waste lands in Northern 

 districts would be a great destroyer of grasshoppers and 

 locusts of all kinds, and if largely distributed may yet 

 become a payable article of commerce. The common 

 type of Ricinus communis is the hardiest and best for the 

 purpose. C. F. 



8. COAL TAR. A valuable remedy, and if mixed with 

 a large proportion of water, say 1 Ib. to 100 gallons; has 

 been tried very successfully for caterpillars on cabbage- 

 plants, also for slugs, snails, wood-lice, &c. C. F. 



9. EUCALYPTUS OIL (CRUDE). This has been prepared 

 by Mr. Bosisto, C.M.G., of Melbourne, and tested by him 

 and Mr. Geo. Neilson, Curator of the Royal Horticultural 

 Society's Gardens, Richmond. Mr. Neilson speaks very 

 highly of its efficacy, but advises that it be used with 

 caution. C. F. 



10. GISHURST COMPOUND. An old and well-tried remedy, 

 largely used by gardeners and others in England and 

 elsewhere, and has of late been used with much success 

 against the aphis on peach. C. F, 



