162 Principles of Plant Culture. 



296. Resin (or rosin) Washes are valued for destroy- 

 ing various scale insects in southern and western United 

 States. They are adapted with modifications to both 

 dormant and growing trees. The resin is sometimes 

 saponified with caustic soda and simply diluted with 

 water; fish oil or petroleum may also be added. The 

 following and other formulas are in use: 



a Dissolve one pound of caustic soda in one gallon 

 of water in a covered iron kettle. Pour out half of the 

 solution, and to the remainder add 8 pounds of resin and 

 boil until dissolved. Then pour in very slowly the rest 

 of the caustic soda solution and boil the whole, stirring 

 it constantly, until it will unite with water, forming a 

 liquid resembling milk. Dilute to 22 gallons for use. 

 This mixture may be applied during the growing sea- 

 son; or 



b Place 30 pounds of resin, 9 pounds of 70 per cent 

 caustic soda and 4^ pints of fish oil, in a closed iron 

 kettle and cover with five or six inches of water. Boil 

 until the liquid has a dark-brown color, after which 

 slowly add water until the whole makes 100 gallons; or 

 dilute a part of the liquid at this rate, keeping the re- 

 mainder as a stock solution. This is for use in the dor- 

 mant season. For the growing season, similar, but more 

 dilute solutions are used. 



297. Hydrocyanic Gas. Another method of destroying 

 scale insects used in California and the Southern States 

 is to treat the tree, previously inclosed in an oil cloth 

 tent, with hydrocyanic gas. One ounce of cyanid of 

 potassium and one measured ounce of sulfuric acid are 

 placed in an earthern or leaden jar containing three 



