INJURIOUS INSECTS. 149 



holes made by the long claws of the skunk in digging out grubs. 

 The flocks of crows which stalk over pastures and meadows, are 

 often mostly employed in grub hunting. It is a difficult matter to 

 obtain legislation for the protection of such an animal as the 

 skunk, because of indifference, prejudice, lack of attractiveness, 

 or from the fact that it may commit some offence. Its few evil 

 deeds are likely to receive quicker recognition than its many good 

 ones. In many hop growing regions the skunk now gets its* full 

 share of protection as a valuable grub hunter. 



I have heard the story of a New England town, where the 

 skunks had become so numerous that war was declared against 

 them, a bounty being offered for each one killed, and they were 

 almost exterminated. In the years immediately following, the 

 grass was greatly destroyed by grubs. The people then, realizing 

 their folly, ordered the protection of the skunk, and soon after- 

 wards there was a marked improvement in the condition of the 

 grass. 



As a formula for making kerosene emulsion is not known by 

 many persons, I will here present the one which has given most 

 general satisfaction and is recommended by the Department of 

 Agrfculture. 



Kerosene, two gallons ; common or whale oil soap, one-half 

 pound ; water, one gallon. Dissolve the soap in the water and 

 heat the solution, adding it, when boiling hot, to the kerosene. 

 Churn the mixture by means of a force pump and spray nozzle for 

 five or ten minutes. The emulsion, if perfect, forms a cream 

 which thickens on cooling, and should adhere without oiliness to 

 the surface of glass. Dilute before using, taking one part of the 

 emulsion with nine parts of cold water. The three gallons of 

 emulsion will thus give thirty gallons of insecticide, which may be 

 sprayed upon most plants with no injury to the foliage, but will 

 prove fatal to many kinds of insects, especially those with soft 

 bodies, or which obtain their food by sucking. Of course if a 

 force pump is not available the emulsion may be stirred by any 

 convenient means. A bundle of switches will answer, if the 

 mixture is whipped long enough. 



In using Pyrethrum powder, or Buhach, care should be taken to 

 obtain it as fresh as possible, and it should be kept in air tight 

 vessels until it is to be used. It may be used dry, either pure or 

 mixed with five or six parts of flour; or it may be applied in 



