189 



APPENDIX. 



MATERIALS IN USE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF 

 NOXIOUS INSECTS. 



1. ARSENATE OF LEAD. Formula: Boil 1 Ib. white arsenic and 

 2 Ibs. carbonate of soda (crystals) in J -gallon of water for 20 

 minutes. Separately dissolve 7 Ibs. acetate of lead in 1 gallon 

 warm water. When both mixtures are cold, mix them together. 

 Bottle into 12 pint bottles, and .use 1 bottle to 30 gallons of water. 

 This is the best formula for dealing with codlin moth; and, when 

 used consistently, will yield over 90 per cent, clean fruit. It may 

 also be used with good success against leaf-eating insects, such as 

 the vine-moth caterpillar, pear slug, cup moth, pumpkin beetle, etc. 

 The preparation known as Swift's Arsenate of Lead has recently 

 come largely into use in this and other Australian States; we have 

 used it very successfully. It is easy to mix, and, if it can be placed 

 cheaply on the market, will no doubt command a ready sale. At 

 the present time the price of this preparation is much too high; and 

 if it is to supersede the ordinary arsenate of lead now in use, it will 

 have to be placed on the market at a much lower rate than it is at 

 present. The Department is now arranging some further experiments 

 to test the economic value of this and other preparations, the results 

 of which tests will be made known through the columns of the 

 " Victorian Journal of Agriculture" 



2. WHITE ARSENIC. This is, perhaps, the most effective agent 

 of destruction against insects. It should always be used in 

 conjunction with other chemicals. If placed in contact with any 

 portion of a plant, some other chemical must be used in union with 

 it, so that the caustic properties of the arsenic may be counteracted. 

 For this purpose milk of lime or acetate of lead is generally used. 

 A mixture of arsenic and sugar (or molasses) has proved very 

 destructive to ants in houses. Arsenic mixed with bran and treacle, 

 mixed together into a paste, is a very destructive agent for any such 

 pests as army worms, locusts, etc., the mixture being placed in 

 small bails wherever these insects are plentiful. 



