12 The Horticulturisf s Ride-Book. 



Lye and whale-oil soap wash, continued. 



used as a summer wash when the first brood is hatching. 

 Use at 130° Fahrenheit, thoroughly washing the trunks and 

 larger branches and spraying the smaller branches and 

 twigs. 



Oil and alkali wash.— 1. l}<[ gallons of whale-oil, 25 pounds sal- 

 soda ; dissolve the sal-soda in 25 gallons of water and heat it 

 to boiling. When boiling pour the whale-oil in. Apply the 

 wash when cooled to 130° Fahr. 



2. 1 pound of concentrated lye (American) of 80 per cent. ; 

 or 4-5 of a pound of Greenbank powdered caustic soda, of 98 

 per cent. ; or 1 pound of solid caustic soda, of 76 per cent. ; 

 or 1}4 pounds of solid caustic soda of 63 per cent. These 

 varying proportions are given because the caustic sodas in 

 the markets are of different strengths and purity. Which- 

 ever one is chosen, add to each amount named X pound of 

 commercial potash and dissolve in 6 gallons of water. 



Both washes are for scale insects on deciduous trees in 

 winter. (Calif ornian.) 



Paraffins oil. When plants are infested with lice, wet them at 

 intervals of three or four days for about three weeks with 

 diluted paraffine in the proportion of a wineglassful to 

 wat-ering-can of water, 



Paris green.— See Arsenites. 



Plaster and kerosene. — 2 quarts of plaster or wood-ashes, 1 table- 

 spoonful of kerosene. Mix and rub with the hands until the 

 oil is well incorporated. Bone-flour may be substituted for 

 the plaster. Repellent. 



Potash.— Kainit, 1 ounce to a pint of water, applied in a spray, is 

 recommended for aphis and various leaf -eating larvae. 

 Muriate of potash, applied in the same strength, is as good, 

 but is more likely to injure the plants. 



Promoting growth. — Any course that tends to promote vigor will 

 be helpful in enabling plants to withstand the attacks of 

 plant-lice and other insects. 



Pyrethrum.— A very fine and light brown powder made from the 

 flower-heads of species of pyrethrum. It is scarcely injuri- 

 ous to man. Three brands are upon the market: 



