DISEASES or THfc DATE PALM. 139 



It is called " Rosin Compound ' : and the directions for its 

 preparation are as follows : - 



' Powder 2 pounds of rosin and 1 pound of washing soda 

 (sodium carbonate) crystals. Place these in a kerosene tin 

 with enough water to cover them, and boil. Continue boiling 

 till both are dissolved and then slowly add cold water to the 

 steadily boiling fluid. Water is to be added a little at a time 

 for fear of chilling the liquid, and the mass should gradually be 

 brought up to 2 gallons. The liquid changes as the boiling 

 proceeds, becoming thick and soapy ; after boiling for half an 

 hour or longer the liquid becomes clear, thin, of a deep brown 

 colour. Continue boiling pouring a few drops of the mixture 

 into cold water at intervals ; at first the wash on mixing with 

 cold water forms a slightly opaque fluid, but after some minutes 

 further boiling, it forms a clear amber liquid on being mixed 

 with cold water. 



" This is the test of the liquid being finished and it should 

 on cooling remain clear. To this stock solution 6 gallons of 

 water may be added to make the strong wash ; 10 gallons to make 

 the normal wash. One pound of rosin is used for every 4 to 6 

 gallons of wash required, and half as much soda. The wash 

 keeps indefinitely if properly prepared, and it is best to keep the 

 stock solution and dilute it as required." 



The fruit bunches should not be sprayed with washes which 

 will give them a bad taste, and poisonous washes must, of course, 

 never be sprayed on the fruits. 



INSECTS FOUND IN STORED DATE FRUITS. 



96. In the winter and spring, the caterpillar of a moth 

 is sometimes found in date fruits in the Puniab. 



Tincid Moth. 



The caterpillar reaches a length of | inch 

 approximately and a diameter of about J inch. It lives on the 

 fleshy tissues of the fruits. The presence of the caterpillar, the 

 excrement, and debris make an attacked fruit quite unfit for table 

 purposes. Date-growers state that the attacks are most serious 



