158 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



a gallon of boiling water, keeping it well agitated 

 with a syringe or pump until the soap is quite melted. 

 Then while still boiling, or nearly so, add one pint 

 of kerosene and continue to agitate the mixture for 

 about five minutes, which will thoroughly mix the 

 soap and oil. Dilute with another two gallons of 

 water and it is ready for use. The mixture may be 

 still weaker and used frequently if preferred. It 

 should always be carefully sprayed, using a very 

 fine nozzle, and applied particularly to the under 

 sides of the leaves. 



RATS/ RATS/ 



One wholesale florist says : "Take slaked lime and 

 alum and put the mixture under or on benches, 

 around poultry yards or greenhouses, and you will 

 get rid of all rats. I had them so bad that they de- 

 stroyed my geraniums and carnations. The rat is 

 very fond of water, and when it goes along on this 

 preparation it gets its claws full, rubs its nose, then 

 runs for water ; and as soon as it gets water the ani- 

 mal is destroyed. 



"For ants and slugs the mixture named cannot be 

 beaten by anything on the market. I have nine 

 greenhouses and have not a slug or an ant in the 

 place." 



OAK CATERPILLARS 



The oak trees in some counties of the state are 

 defoliated by the caterpillar of the oak moth, Phry- 

 ganidia Californica, and people who value these 

 beautiful landmarks are much concerned about it. 

 Frequently whole districts are to be seen in which 

 every tree is stripped of its leaves. The remedy 

 against the worm, and one that should be frequently 

 applied, is a Paris green spray, one pound to 200 gal- 



