TROUBLESOME INSECTS. 133 



It has been found that these powders owe their insect- 

 destroying virtue to an acrid resin, deprived of which, 

 they are practically worthless. This resin can be ex- 

 tracted by alcohol, and the method to be employed also 

 the various formalities to be observed in converting the 

 tincture into a destroyer are as follows : 



Obtain from a druggist one-half pound of Dalmatian 

 insect powder and one and one-half ounces of the oil of 

 eucalyptus. Pour them into a large bottle, add one quart 

 of alcohol, cork tightly to prevent evaporation, and shake 

 frequently during the next two or three days. Then ob- 

 tain a funnel large enough to hold the contents of the 

 bottle, also a three-gallon demijohn. Lightly pack the 

 bottom of the funnel and its neck with absorbent cotton 

 and insert it in the mouth of the jug. Shake the bottle 

 and pour its entire contents into the funnel. The fluid 

 portion, which is the tincture of the insect powder, will 

 slowly filter through the cotton, and as it does so pour 

 more water into the funnel until sufiftcient has been used 

 to fill the demijohn. And each time water is added the 

 muddy mass at the bottom of the funnel should be stirred, 

 otherwise the filter will be choked. What remains in 

 the funnel should finally be thrown away. 



The demijohn — which must be well stopped — now 

 holds all the active and poisonous principles of the insect 

 powder, also another powerful insecticide as well as an- 

 tiseptic, the oil of eucalyptus. Without the latter the 

 diluted tincture would have been destructive to nearly all 

 small insects, but one can never be too sure when dealing 

 with fleas, therefore the stronger the destroyer the better. 

 And besides adding greatly to its power the oil has given 

 it an odor that is quite agreeable to most people, thereby 

 rendering it of special value for treatment of house pets. 

 But possibly the most fastidious may object to this odor. 



