Insects and Preventives 



phur, to one quart of boiled linseed oil. Mix thoroughly and apply like any 

 ordinary paint. 



Sulphur and Tobacco Mixture. Dissolve one-quarter pound flour of sul- 

 phur in one quart of rose-leaf extract, to which has been added two quarts 

 of water. Stir thoroughly, and apply as a paint. 



The usual method of keeping down the red spider is to syringe the 

 plants, either with pure water or with a caustic preparation of soap, such 

 as whale oil or Ivory soap. 



When using pure water, the most effective manner seems to be the 

 syringing of the plants with a fine spray under high pressure. I have become 

 well satisfied that the mere presence of moisture in the atmosphere does not 

 prevent the propagation and spread of red spider, but that the efficiency of 

 water as a spray is measured by the force with which the water is driven 

 against the insect ; as in my experience the red spider seems to thrive very 

 well, indeed, in a very moist atmosphere, unless forceful syringing is resorted 

 to. Too much syringing, however, is deleterious to the plants, as it washes 

 off the natural bloom which covers the foliage, and frequently results in 

 attacks of spot and various other fungi. 



Of the soap preparations, the best we have found is a solution of Ivory 

 soap, made as follows : One-pound cake of Ivory soap, five gallons of water. 

 Shave the soap into a kettle holding at least a gallon of water. Boil slowly 

 until the soap is dissolved. Add to this mixture sufficient water to make five 

 gallons, then churn the whole through a syringe until an emulsion is formed. 



This emulsion should be thrown upon the plants with a fine spray, the 

 same as is used when syringing with pure water. After the solution has re- 

 mained upon the plants two hours, it should be washed off, by syringing with 

 clear water. In the use of soap mixtures, as well as in washing them off, 

 we have found the high pressure syringing with a very fine rose the most 

 effective. In using any caustic preparation upon plants, the grower must 

 remember that soft, sappy growths are frequently injured, and these solu- 

 tions ought not to be applied to plants that are in such condition. 



Use of Salt as a Preventive of Red Spider 



During the past three years we have been using a solution of salt, made 

 as follows : Eight six-inch potfuls of common salt in 50 gallons of water. 

 When using this solution, always stir from the bottom of the barrel in order 

 to insure an even strength throughout. Give the foliage a thorough spraying, 

 both underneath and above, using a fine rose under strong pressure. After 

 syringing with the salt solution, this should be allowed to remain from three 



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