324 Gardening 



3 gallons of water with an ounce of soap will make a 

 solution that will kill plant lice. This solution should 

 be strained before using, to prevent clogging of the 

 sprayer. 



Kerosene emulsion also may be used to kill aphids and 

 other insects, but it is not so convenient to make up as 

 the tobacco preparations. To prepare it, boil ^ pound 

 of laundry soap in i gallon of water until dissolved. 

 Remove from the fire and add 2 gallons of kerosene. 

 Pour the kerosene into the water slowly, adding small 

 amounts at a time. Stir constantly and thoroughly, and 

 in about 5 or 10 minutes the mixture will become thick 

 and creamy. This stock solution may be kept stored for 

 use at any time. Dilute with from 10 to 20 parts of hot 

 water, stir well, and use as a spray. Both the kerosene 

 and the tobacco sprays should be cool when used on the 

 plants. 



To be effective, these sprays must reach the body of the 

 insect. They should be applied as a fine, mist-like spray, 

 such as a good compressed-air spray pump will throw. 

 The under surface of leaves and the inclosed portions of 

 rolled-up leaves should be reached, so that all insects 

 present will be touched by the spray. Several applica- 

 tions of spray at intervals of 2 or 3 days may be required 

 to rid plants of aphids. 



The common squash bug. The full-grown adult of the 

 common squash bug is about f inch long ; it is of a dirty 

 grayish-brown color above and a yellowish color beneath. 

 It gives off, especially when handled, an offensive odor. 

 The mouth parts are formed into a conspicuous beak 

 about \ inch long. This beak is characteristic of the 



