172 



Kerosene Emulsion. This is one of the most useful of 

 all the contact insecticides, for spraying plants against scale 

 insects, mealy-bug and all related insects. The difficulty of 

 getting a true emulsion with the water which is available in 

 many localities has proved an objection to its use, but with 

 care and by the use of rain-water, an emulsion ought to be 

 obtained. Kerosene .emulsion is made from : 

 Hard soap J-S>. 



Kerosene 2 gallons 



Dissolve the soap in 1 gallon of water, by boiling. 

 Remove from the fire and immediately add 2 gallons of 

 kerosene, and churn violently with a syringe or force pump 

 until the mixture becomes creamy, and the oil is all held by 

 the soap. This is the stock solution, and is sufficient for 33 

 gallons of wash. Great care should be taken to get a perfect 

 emulsion, as any free oil is likely to injure the plants. If 

 any considerable layer of oil is observed on the surface of 

 the stock solution when it has stood for 24 hours or more, 

 the emulsion is not perfect. If difficulty is experienced in 

 this respect, an increase of the amount of soap will often aid 

 in producing the emulsion. 



Kerosene Emulsion, with soft soap. This is similar to 



the preceding both in its action and in its use. It is made 

 from : 



Soft soap 1 quart 



Kerosene 1 pint 



To prepare it, dissolve the soap in two quarts of hot 

 water and add the kerosene, making the emulsion in the 

 manner described above. This is the stock solution and is 

 made ready for use by adding an equal amount of water. 



.Kerosene. In addition to its application in kerosene 

 emulsion, this oil may be made to form a valuable insecticide 

 in other ways. It may be used in a mechanical mixture 

 with water, by means of a special pump, as a spray for scale 

 and other insects, and when used by itself produces excellent 

 results in special cases. 



Mosquito larvae, in tanks, water barrels, and similar 

 situations where it is not desirable to introduce fish, may be 

 destroyed by an application of kerosene to the surface of the 

 water. The larvae are killed by the kerosene when they 

 come to the surface to breathe, the oil penetrating the 

 breathing spiracle and causing death. 



