60 INSECTICIDES. 



peach and nectarine for destroying the " brown scale " 

 (Lecanium persicae). In both instances less than fifty 

 per cent, of the insects were destroyed. In applying 

 this to the trees the operator should wear gloves, as the 

 caustic properties of the lime burn the hands terribly. 



Caustic Soda Wash. This consists of the following 

 ingredients : 



1 Ib. ground caustic soda. 



| Ib. pearlash. 

 10 oz. soft soap. 

 10 gallons of water. 



Apply at a temperature of 130 Fahr. 



This has been frequently recommended for dressing 

 peach and other trees infested with scale. Having 

 personally witnessed both the mixing and application of 

 this mixture, I can speak with certainty as to its effect 

 upon the " brown peach scale." In the winter of 1 SI)'.) 

 this mixture was applied to a number of peach trees 

 (under glass) with an ordinary paint-brush. The result 

 was fairly satisfactory, and, judging from the number 

 of females which appeared in the spring, I should esti- 

 mate that about sixty per cent, of the insects were killed. 

 The application did certainly not appear to injure the 

 trees ; in fact, one of the largest and best crops of fruit 

 was grown. Seeing the enormous percentage of 

 various alkalies the preparation contains, it would cer- 

 tainly be unsafe to make an annual application of this 

 mixture, as it must in time prove fatal to the health of 

 the trees. Moreover it is a painful experience applying 

 it, and for these reasons I certainly do not approve of 

 its use, and more especially so as the paraffin emulsion 

 is more effectual and comparatively pleasant to use. 



" Clay and Sulphur" or " Cow-dung and Sulphur." 

 Such mixtures are absolutely useless against " scale 

 insects," and clay or cow-dung in any form I have 

 found most objectionable. I have so frequently seen 

 them used against the " brown peach scale " that I 

 am quite confident of the results obtained. And from 



