New Forms of Kerosene Hmulsion 



FranK T. Shutt, M.A., CHemist, Dominion Experimental Farms 



IN an investigation carried on about 

 a year and half ago, to ascertain 

 the emulsifying effect of certain 

 materials (more particularly lime, as ad- 

 vocated by Professor Close) in the prep- 

 aration of kerosene emulsion, it occurred 

 to the writer that flour might answer for 

 this purpose of holding coal oil in sus- 

 pension. Experiments proved this to 

 be the case, a very satisfactory emulsion 

 for immediate use resulting. Eight 

 ounces of flour were found sutBcient to 

 hold in perfect suspension one quart of 

 coal oil. The emulsion is simply and 

 easily made as follows: 



The requisite amount of coal oil (kero- 

 sene) is poured into the pail or barrel, 

 and flour added in the proportion of 

 eight ounces to one quart of coal oil, the 

 mass thoroughly stirred and the water 

 added — two gallons for every quart of 

 coal oil. The whole is then vigorously 

 churned, say, for five minutes, by means 

 of a pump and coarse nozzle or a wooden 

 paddle or dasher, as used in upright 

 churns, and the emulsion is ready for 

 use. The spray is smooth, easily atom- 

 ized and does not clog the nozzle. 



During the last few weeks, this in- 

 vestigation, at the suggestion and with 

 ithe assistance of Mr. Macoun, has been 

 lextended to the preparation, with flour, 

 of certain sprays that might prove use- 

 ful both as insecticides and fungicides — 

 winter washes to be employed on dor- 

 mant wood only and sprays that would 

 combine the properties of Bordeaux mix- 

 ture and kerosene emulsion for summer 

 us.e. The following notes give, briefly, 

 linformation regarding the emulsions 

 ■"which it has been thought might be ser- 

 viceable to the fruit grower: 



Bluestone. 



Flour 



Kerosene 

 Water 



Winter Washes 



a" bluestone, 1% 



4 pounds 

 8 " 

 . 4 gallons 

 .36 " 



Mix the flour with the kerosene, as 

 3efore described, the bluestone being 

 dissolved in the water. Pour about one- 

 half of the solution (the exact quantity is 

 a matter of no moment) on to the kero- 

 sene flour mixture and chum for five 

 minutes. Pour in the remainder of the 

 bluestone solution, stir, and the emulsion 

 is ready for use. On standing, this 

 spray separates into two layers, which, 

 however, are readily re-mixed by stir- 

 ring. Free oil does not appear, if the 

 churning has been efficient, for at least 

 20 hours. 



"b" CAUSTIC SODA 2%, KEROSENE 10%' 



Caustic soda . 8 pounds 



Flour 8 " 



Kerosene 4 gallons 



Water. M 



"d" C.\USTIC S0D.\ 2%, KEROSENE 5% 



Caustic soda 8 pounds 



Flour 8 



Kerosene 2 gallons 



Water 38 



"E" CAUSTIC SODA 1%, KEROSENE 5% 



Caustic soda 4 pounds 



Flour 4 



Kerosene 2 gallons 



Water 38 



It will be noticed that these three 

 emulsions contain the same ingredients, 

 but differ in strength; that is, in pro- 

 portion to caustic soda and kerosene. 

 The preparation is alike in all. The 

 flour and the kerosene being mixed in 

 the desired proportion, the solution of 



a viscous fluid which is eminently adapt- 

 ed for holding the coal oil in suspension. 

 Summer Sprays 



"h" BORDEAUX AND KEROSENE 



Bluestone 4 potmds 



Lime 4 " 



Kerosene 4 gallons 



Water 36 " 



This is the usual Bordeaux mixture, 

 plus 10% kerosene. It is best made as 

 follows : To the freshly slaked lime add 

 one-half the total volume of water and 

 pour in the requisite amount of coal oil, 

 emulsify for five minutes, then pour in 

 the remainder of the water, in which the 

 bluestone has been dissolved, and stir 



Do not Spray when Trees are in Bloom— it is against Nature and the Law 



the caustic soda (lye) is poured on and 

 the whole churned for five minutes. 

 They are all remarkably stable, no free 

 oil appearing after standing for four 

 days, save traces in the case of "E," 

 which contained but four pounds flour 

 for 40 gallons in this emulsion. The 

 stability or permanence of these emul- 

 sions is undoubtedly due to the action 

 of the caustic soda on the flour, making 



1C9 



well for one minute. Though on stand- 

 ing a thick, creamy layer forms, there is 

 no separation of oil for at least 24 hours, 

 and simple stirring is all that is neces- 

 sary within a few days of making to 

 bring about a perfect ,piixt,uxe. 



"k" BORDEAUX, FWJUR AND KEROSENE 



Bluestone 4 ]K>unds 



Lime 4 



Flour 4 



