139 



scale appears on its stem and branches, the least offen- 

 sive remedy is to paint over the whole with a strong 

 solution of gum arabic or starch ; allow it to remain 

 on for a week, and then wash it off. But the most ef- 

 fectual remedy is to brush them over thoroughly twice, 

 after an interval of a day, with spirit of turpentine. 

 To prevent the recurrence of the plague, a very effec- 

 tive mode in autumn is, to scrape away and burn all 

 the rough bark, and then, with a rough brush, to 

 paint over the stem and branches with a creamy mix- 

 ture of clay, lime, soft-soap, flowers of sulphur and 

 urine. 



Another formula, quite as effective and less disgust- 

 ing, is this : — \ lb. of soft-soap, 1 lb. of sulphur, and 

 \ oz. of black pepper, to 4 gallons of water, boil to- 

 gether for 20 minutes, and make it thick enough to 

 adhere to the wood like paint. If it does not, thicken 

 it with lime, adding sufficient soot to take off the 

 glaring white colour of the lime. The proportions 

 are of little consequence, the object of this and similar 

 washes being, by adhering to the wood, to prevent 

 the eggs or larvae of insects from coming to life. 

 {Gard. Chron. 1842, 840.) 



Curculio (Otiorhynchus) sulcatus is by far the 

 most injurious vine weevil, and every means should 

 be used to prevent its increase in vineries. They eat 

 the margin of the leaves into all sorts of shapes. The 

 weevil always feeds in the night, hiding itself by day 



