184 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



CHAPTER XLII. 



ADDITIONAL LIST OF MATERIALS IN USE FOR THE 

 DESTRUCTION OF Noxious INSECTS. 



1. CAMPHOR FOR PLUGGING. Of no use whatever. 



2. " DEATHOLINE." Effective in some respects, but, as 

 yet, too expensive for general use. 



3. "DESPATCH PARASITE EXTERMINATOR." This solu- 

 tion, as introduced by Messrs. Allan and Bland, is very 

 useful for destroying many kinds of scale. It is perfectly 

 harmless to trees, but is at present too costly for general 

 use. 



4. HELLEBORE (WHITE). This material is rapidly 

 coming into favour with fruit-growers, it being both 

 fairly cheap and highly effective, and is now largely used 

 against the "pear-slug." The so-called " white hellebore " 

 is manufactured from Veratrum album, which is not a true 

 hellebore. There would appear to be a difference of 

 opinion as to the best method of preparing this material 

 for the use of orchardists; but, judging from experi- 

 ments which have been made by intelligent growers, it 

 seems to be that the "powdered hellebore-root" is in the 

 greatest favour, because it is cheaper than the extract, 

 though the latter is easier to mix. Mr. Thiele, of Don- 

 caster, is of opinion that the powder will kill all the 

 " slug " and will retain its power longer than the extract. 

 Proportions of powder, as used by Mr. Thiele, 1 pound to 

 30 gallons of water, cost 8d. ; extract, 1 quart to 30 

 gallons of water, cost Is. 6d. It is possible that other 

 growers may have had different experiences, and which 

 they will doubtless be guided by. It is recommended 

 that the larger quantity be used, because, to be effectual, 

 it should kill quickly and before the rain could fall and 

 wash it off the leaves so treated. 



