INSECTICIDES. 61 



practical experience I cannot too strongly condemn 

 their use against insects of any kind. 



METHODS OF APPLYING THE INSECTICIDES. 



In this country the application of insecticides against 

 Coccids is usually performed with a brush or sponge, 

 which is the most effectual plan, as it gives decidedly 

 the best results. But where a large quantity of trees 

 and plants have to be dealt with, which is often the case, 

 the application should be made with a spraying appa- 

 ratus, or, as in the case of small plants, such as palms 

 and crotons, etc., they can be expeditiously treated by 

 dipping them in the mixture, care being taken to 

 remove all the visible scale or bug with the fingers. 

 The plants should then be carefully shaken and laid 

 on their sides to drain. This process is frequently 

 adopted by large growers of plants for table decora- 

 tion, such, for instance, as palms and crotons. I have 

 seen the process carried out by a competent and ex- 

 perienced plant foreman, in whose hands the work 

 was a complete success, the insecticide used being a 

 weak form of the " kerosene emulsion," No. 1, but not 

 exactly of the same proportions of soap and paraffin, 

 the proportions used being as follows : 



J pint paraffin. 

 ^ Ib. soft soap. 

 3 gallons soft water. 



The method of mixing is also different, and is as 

 follows : 



Place the paraffin and soap together in a vessel, and 

 with the hands or a stick very thoroughly mix them 

 together until there is no liquid paraffin left; after 

 which the bulk of water is added warm and churned 

 with a syringe. 



Sponging. 66 Gishurst's Compound " or soft soap is 

 generally used for this purpose, but the process can 



