SPRAYING FOR CITRUS INSECTS AND MITES IN FLORIDA. 23 



used in combination with oil emulsion it should be added to the tank 

 or barrel of water before the oil emulsion. 



SOFTENING HARD WATER. 



Whenever practicable the growers should use lake * water for 

 spraying with the oil emulsions. When a proper emulsion is so 

 used, no trouble will be experienced. If only deep well water or 

 sulphur water is to be had for spraying purposes, some means must 

 be taken to eliminate those chemicals which combine with the caustic 

 soda in the oil emulsions to set the oil free. If such water is used 

 without treatment, free oil sometimes appears on the surface, but 

 usually a thick, greasy mass forms. Usually when sprayed on a 

 tree the twigs are killed to a considerable extent. Some of these 

 well waters are so hard that it requires an enormous amount of soap 

 (o soften them. Our experience indicates that caustic soda when 

 used alone will not give satisfactory results. It has been found that 

 if 1 pound of caustic soda per 100 gallons is used in addition to from 

 3 to 6 pounds of soap the oil emulsion will mix satisfactorily. 

 Caustic soda should be dissolved in 2 or 3 gallons of water and then 

 added to the full tank and the entire mixture stirred and left to 

 stand about a minute. Before adding, the soap should have been 

 dissolved at the rate of about 1 or 2 pounds per gallon of water. 

 After the soda and soap solution have stood for 2 or 3 minutes the 

 insecticide may be poured in. 



It is advisable for the grower to proceed on a small scale at first, 

 using a barrel of water or less. After the first addition of caustic 

 soda and soap some insecticide should be added. If the thick, greasy 

 scum forms within the period of 5 minutes, another test should be 

 made, using a larger quantity of both caustic soda and soap. 



FACTORS IN OBTAINING SUCCESSFUL RESULTS. 



In order to obtain satisfactory results from spraying, the grower 

 should carefully plan the operations a considerable time in advance. 



PRELIMINARY CAMPAIGN. 



If it is the intention to purchase a spraying outfit, one should be 

 ordered at least two months before it is needed. If a spraying outfit 

 is already at hand, great care should be taken to overhaul it most 

 thoroughly at least a month before spraying begins. This will 

 afford plenty of time to send for parts, if any need to be replaced. 

 The tank should be cleaned out carefully, and soaked so that it will 

 not leak. The pump should be carefully repaired, and if any parts 



1 It may be explained that owing to limestone formation in Florida, well water Is 

 usually " hard." 



