WASH TO DESTROY INSECTS. 277 



WASH TO DESTROY INSECTS. 



Most plants, subject to parlor culture, are liable at differ- 

 ent seasons to the attacks of insects, particularly the green 

 fly on Roses, Geraniums, Calceolarias, and many other 

 plants. When you find your plants infested with these 

 troublesome insects, make a wash with two pounds whale 

 oil soap to sixteen gallons of water ; mix them at night, 

 and the next day, after stirring them well, will be fit 

 to use, and may be syringed over the plants, or the 

 branches may be dipped into the suds, and the insects will 

 disappear the next day. 



This is a good wash for plants when infested with the 

 scale bug (which adheres to the stem), by taking a piece 

 of sponge and cleansing the stems of your plants. Olean- 

 ders, when troubled with insects, should be treated in the 

 same manner. The suds will also be a stimulus to the 

 growth of the plants ; there is, therefore, no danger to be 

 apprehended from its penetrating the soil in the pots. It 

 should be observed, if you mix a greater portion of soap 

 than mentioned above, the leaves will drop off the plant, 

 but they will soon put out again. To kill caterpillars the 

 decoction should be made stronger ; it will be found to de- 

 stroy them effectually, when syringed on them, but it will 

 be necessary to break their web previous to the operation. 



