196 DISEASES AND INSECT ENEMIES. 



used in this way the soap has no deleterious effects 

 on the plants and has a tendency to protect and 

 clean the foliage much better than any preparation 

 we have used. Tobacco water is sometimes used 

 for this purpose, and a tobacco solution made from 

 an extract is also applied. We do not recommend 

 these preparations, however, because they have a 

 tendency to weaken the foliage. 



It must be understood that it is not safe to 

 use strong soaps, such as whale oil and soft soaps, 

 because they are very apt to injure the foliage and 

 are not so active in killing the mites as the ivory 

 soap. Spiders treated with ivory soap die in one 

 or two minutes after the solution is applied. 

 When viewed under a microscope full grown 

 spiders show anxiety to get rid of the soap as soon 

 as it reaches them. This lasts only for a few 

 seconds, however, and then the spider quickly 

 folds its legs beneath itself and for a few seconds 

 there may be some violent movements of the legs 

 and other parts of the animal. Even if moved to 

 fresh water a few minutes after soap is applied 

 they seldom revive, which shows how effectually 

 the soap operates. 



For cuttings, therefore, the soap solution as 

 recommended will be found exceedingly valuable. 

 We do not consider it advisable to continue the 

 application of soap throughout the entire season, 

 for the reason that we believe it has a tendency 

 to interfere with growth. After the plants are put 



