404 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



once or twice its bulk of flour, and dusted evenly over the foliage ; or it may 

 be mixed with water in the following proportions and sprayed over the 

 foliage : 



Hellebore Powder (fresh), loz. 



Water, 3 gallons. 



LIME. This has some insecticidal and fungicidal properties if used as a 

 dressing to the soil or dusted on the foliage, although it is used chiefly as a 

 preventive. Applied to the soil it prevents and corrects acidity, and when 

 dusted on the leaves makes them distasteful to insects and checks egg- 

 laying. It is particularly valuable for use against slugs. Slaked lime is 

 generally preferable to quicklime, and air-slaked lime is inferior to that 

 properly water-slaked ; in the latter case it falls into a much finer ponder 

 and adheres better. In slaking lime no more water should be used than 

 will thoroughly wet the lumps of quicklime. A great heat is then produced 

 and injthe course of 15 or 20 minutes a very fine dry powder will be obtained. 

 Care should be exercised to avoid using an excess of water or a sloppy 

 mess will be formed which is difficult to distribute and which will contain 

 imperfectly slaked lumps. Lime may be mixed with sulphur or soot before 

 being dusted on the foliage, and the dusting should be done whilst the 

 plants are damp with mist or dew. 



NICOTINE makes an excellent wash for soft-bodied insects, such as 

 aphides, but it is expensive. It forms the basis of many proprietary 

 insecticides. It may safely be used on plants which are too tender for 

 paraffin emulsion. A solution guaranteed to contain 98 % of nicotine 

 should be purchased. Use loz. of this and oz. of soft soap to 10 gallons 

 of water. 



PARAFFIN EMULSION is one of the best washes for aphides and other 

 sucking insects, and will prevent the attacks of celery fly, &c. It is easy 

 to prepare, but care must be taken to see that the paraffin forms a proper 

 emulsion with the soap and is not floating on the surface, otherwise damage 

 to foliage will probably result from its use. 



To make the emulsion take 



Soft Soap, 21 bs. 



Paraffin, 1 pint. 



Soft Water to make 10 gallons. 



Boil the soap in ^-gallon of water, and while it is very hot add the paraffin 

 in small amounts, churning it in well each time with a syringe fitted with a 

 rose jet. Continue the churning for a few minutes after the last addition 

 of paraffin, and then with the syringe transfer the mixture to another vessel, 

 using plenty of force. A creamy emulsion should now be formed which 

 should be permanent, but if, after standing for a little time, the paraffin 

 separates and rises to the surface, re-heat carefully (in the open for fear of 

 accident) and churn again with the syringe. 



Dilute to 10 gallons before use. 



