19 



other washes. Among the many materials used iii this 

 experimental work, the so-called "soluble oils" seem to of- 

 fer the most promise and where winter work with the Lime- 

 Sulfur-Salt preparation has been impossible, then it is ad- 

 visable to use this material. It is known under different 

 trade names and under the designation, "Scalecide," a 

 quite desirable contact insecticide is sold. The spray made 

 with this material can be used with safety in the spring 

 and its results, when so used, are fairly satisfactory. 



The main point to be observed in the use of this and all 

 other contact insecticides is thoroughness of application. 

 To be effective the material must come in direct contact 

 with the insect to be destroyed. 



PLANT LICE. 



Another quite destructive series of insects with sucking 

 mouth parts are the so-called "plant lice," the Aphids. 

 These are soft bodied creatures, quite small, though gen- 

 erally larger than the scale insects, and are more easily 

 destroyed than are the latter pests. 



Certain species of aphids are well known to our truck 

 gardeners, as for instance, the cabbage louse, (Aphis bras- 

 sicae), while certain other series are quite destructive to 

 orchard products and even to trees. When the attack of 

 these insects is confined to the above ground parts of the 

 tree or plant they can be quite readily destroyed by a 

 spray made as follows: Dissolve one and one-half pounds 

 of ordinary kitchen or laundry soap in one and one-half 

 gallons of water. This can best be done by shaving tho 

 soap into boiling water and keeping the water boiling un- 

 til the soap is fully dissolved. Remove from the fire and 

 pour into the strong suds thus made one gallon of kerosen-3 

 oil. stirring vigorously while pouring. Continue this vig- 

 orous stirring for fully ten minutes. The result should be 

 a fairly stable creamy emulsion with no free oil. To the 

 Kerosene Emulsion thus made add eighteen gallons of wa- 

 ter and the spray is ready to be applied. It will be found 

 quite effective as a destroyer of the majority of plant lice 

 with which the grower will have to deal. 



