EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES. 5 



In one case a twig having 42 eggs of the Apple Sucker, and about 

 60 scales on, gave a percentage of 92 per cent., and a similar result 

 was obtained with twigs with the eggs of the Plum Aphis on. 



Whilst the above laboratory experiments were being carried out, 

 out-of-door experiments were commenced with the following spray- 

 fluid : 



Caustic Soda (98 per cent.) ... ... 2 Ibs. 



Soft Soap ... ... ... i lb. 



Paraffin ... ... ... 5 pints. 



Soft Water ... ... ... 10 gallons. 



The soft soap was dissolved in a gallon of boiling water, and 

 whilst still hot the paraffin was added and beaten up into a creamy 

 liquid. The whole of the liquid was then pumped with force through 

 a fine spray nozzle, in the usual manner, into another vessel. 



The caustic soda was dissolved in 9 gallons of rain water, and 

 into this solution the paraffin emulsion was then poured, and the two 

 well mixed together. 



All the applications were made in the first week in March, and 

 the results in the open fully bear out the excellent results obtained in 

 the laboratory. 1 



Further experiments, of which it is too early yet to give the results, 

 have been made with the Felted Beech Coccus, the eggs of the Red 

 " Spider," and other Aphids. 



It is proposed to substitute this soda-emulsion sprayfluid in the 

 future for the caustic soda and carbonate of potash sprayfluids given 

 in previous Reports. 



Experiments, with a view to providing a complete winter insecti- 

 cide and fungicide are being carried out, also with various carbolic, 

 lime and sulphur, and lime, sulphur and salt sprayfluids, and will be 

 reported upon at a later date. 



It may be pointed out that the results so far obtained by the 

 different lime and sulphur, and lime, sulphur and salt sprayfluids have 

 proved most disappointing, and other experiments, not made by the 

 writer, with similar fluids have given very poor results. In this con- 

 nection I may draw attention to a recent work by Mr. J. K. Haywood, 

 of the United States Department of Agriculture, in which he states : 

 " In the lime-sulphur-salt-soda wash the author is unable to see that 

 anything is gained by the addition of salt, although it is recognized that 



1 Unknown to me at the time, a series of experiments were being carried out at the 

 Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, and the results obtained by an almost precisely similar 

 sprayfluid, confirm the value of this mixture. The results are set forth in great detail in 

 the Sixth Annual Report, and should be carefully studied by all interested. A brief 

 summary of the conclusions arrived at in this Report has since been published. 



