Early History of Liquid Applications. 5 



this character. A great variety of materials must have been 

 tested again and again by various persons independently of each 

 other. Those materials which possessed real or imaginary reme- 

 dial values, or which from their very nature appeared to possess 

 them, remained in use until something that promised better 

 could be found. Thus it came that at the close of the eigh- 

 teenth century, and early in the nineteenth, the number of 

 things recommended against various diseases was large, and 

 some of the compounds possessed considerable insecticidal 

 value. The following examples may here be cited : 



" In the year 1763, there appeared in the papers of Marseilles 

 a remedy for plant-lice. The applications should be made by 

 means of a small tin syringe having a nose pierced by about 

 one thousand holes. The instrument is filled with water in 

 which lime has been slaked, previously mixing with the clear 

 liquid some bad tobacco, finely powdered ; this should be used 

 at the rate of a handful to two liters of the liquid. The trees 

 are syringed with the mixture, and although the foliage remains 

 uninjured the pests are destroyed. But after four or five days 

 the trees should be again syringed, using clear water." * 



" But many of the plant-lice may be destroyed by passing the 

 leaves upon which they are found between two sponges wet 

 with tobacco water. Ground tobacco powder spread upon the 

 insects will kill them instantly. One may also use with it the 

 water of slaked lime or of strong soap, soot, sage, hyssop, worm- 

 wood, and other bitter or strong-smelling herbs. Soot, lime, 

 and soap have the disadvantage of staining the leaves, fruits, 

 and the plants to which they are applied. Tobacco and worm- 

 wood leave small particles upon the portions treated. Other 

 materials are often without value. Tansy, hellebore, rue, leek, 

 bitter gourd, and long pepper have the disadvantages men- 

 tioned above. Petroleum, turpentine, and other oils are also 

 recommended ; but care must be taken in their use, since they 

 also act upon the plants, making them sick or even killing 

 them." 2 



" First wet the trees infested with lice, then rub flowers of 

 sulphur upon the insects and it will cause them all to burst." 8 



1 J. A. E. Goeze, " Geschichte einiger schadlichen Insecten." Leipzig, 1787, 

 166. 



* Ibid. 164. Ibid. 168. 



